Kew intersection hit by recurring potholes as blocked drains overflow
Ward 81 activist Theo Lengwati warns that ongoing drainage issues and heavy traffic at 10th Road and 4th Avenue will continue to ruin road surfaces until storm infrastructure is cleared.
Potholes have resurfaced at the corner of 10th Road and 4th Avenue in Kew, months after the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) completed repairs, prompting Ward 81 community activist Theo Lengwati to call for blocked stormwater drains to be addressed.
During a site visit with the Sandton Chronicle on October 16, Lengwati pointed out two stormwater drains further up the hill that he said were completely blocked.
He believes the drainage problem, combined with constant traffic, is contributing to the repeated formation of potholes.
The latest concerns follow a Sandton Chronicle report published on February 11, ‘Relief for Kew motorists as JRA repairs dangerous potholes on 10th Road and 4th Avenue’, which confirmed that the JRA had completed repairs at the intersection following previous complaints about the deteriorating road surface.
Read more: Pothole debris lingers on 10th Road in Kew as new pothole appears
However, the damage has since returned, prompting Lengwati to question the durability of the repairs and call for a more lasting solution.
“These potholes have been ongoing year after year, almost every single time it rains, until finally JRA came out and did a reinstatement,” he said. “We thank JRA indeed for that. However, when you look at that repair and look at it, we are back here again, and I think we have a reason for that.”
According to Lengwati, two stormwater drainage systems further up the road are blocked, preventing rainwater from draining away.
“Whenever water rushes down, as we are on a hill on a downhill, that water rushes down over here while the cars are continuously passing,” he said. “Of course, this being a busy intersection means it will always equate to potholes.”
Also read: JRA responds to Kew pothole concerns
Lengwati believes that unless the drainage problem is addressed, further road repairs could face the same challenges, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall.
“JRA, we’re calling out to you to say please fix the stormwater drains first and repair the street, and we’ll be sure that this will last longer than it has currently,” he said.
Agency steps in to tackle drainage
Responding to these concerns on October 21, JRA Regional Operations Acting Head Mpho Maruping confirmed that the roads agency conducted an inspection and identified the two blocked stormwater drains and the potholes of concern.
Maruping said the stormwater drains had previously been unblocked; however, the continuous flow of grey water and the accumulation of litter result in recurring blockages, requiring frequent cleaning and maintenance.
“Furthermore, the repeated damage to kerb inlet tops caused by trucks driving over them remains a major concern. The damaged slabs contribute to the blockage of the kerb inlets, further aggravating the stormwater drainage issues,” he said.
“To address this recurring problem, JRA has commenced installing bollards at the affected kerb inlets before proceeding with the unblocking of the drains and replacement of the damaged KI tops. This intervention is intended to prevent trucks from driving over and damaging the slabs, thereby reducing recurring blockages and the need for repeated maintenance.”
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