‘Please clean up our roads’
The general consensus shared by the group was that the R102 (Marine Drive), the main coastal artery from Hibberdene to Port Edward, was becoming increasingly unattractive and something of an eyesore for locals and tourists alike.
A large group of businessmen and women and residents from in and around Port Shepstone gathered last week to voice their unhappiness about sections of the town, coastal road, and beyond.
Complaints included the lack of maintenance with regards to the long grassy verges, broken bridge railings, tatty kerb stones, potholes, dumping and littering, to mention a few.
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The general consensus shared by the group was that the R102 (Marine Drive), the main coastal artery from Hibberdene to Port Edward, was becoming increasingly unattractive and something of an eyesore for locals and tourists alike.
The major concern, of course, is that an unsightly area could scare off future visitors and investors.
Simon April, spokesman for Ray Nkonyeni Municipality, explained that many of these issues fell under the jurisdiction of the Department of Transport (DOT) but that verge cutting had started in the area between Shelly Beach and Manaba.
“There is engagement with the DOT to address these challenges,” he said.
He said the issue of littering would be referred to the responsible internal department and urged the public to respect the environment by not littering and only taking out refuse bags on collection days.
Doug Rawlins, the ward 18 councillor, shared the group’s concerns.
“I constantly report issues to services@rnm.gov.za for attention but unfortunately responses can be slow. Most of the areas, if not all, that need attention, are the responsibility of DOT.”
He said he had personally raised these issues numerous times, asked RNM to intervene with DOT to speed up providing solutions to the problems.
Unfortunately, he added that it does not only affect Port Shepstone but the whole municipal area where the R102 runs through it from Hibberdene through to Ramsgate.
“In terms of the litter, my understanding that the CBD of Port Shepstone is cleaned up every night but by 10am the next day it is a mess again. This is a issue that will need to be addressed through law enforcement and education,” he said.
“Port Shepstone is the regional headquarter for virtually every state department and for that reason the influx of people on a daily basis is huge.”
On a positive note, Cllr Rawlins said that National Treasury has elected Port Shepstone as a regional town due to be rejuvenated over the next few years.
“Council is expecting a concept plan in September this year. Hopefully this will assist to improve Port Shepstone as a whole.”
No response from the DOT was received before going to print.
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