Poor roads raise ire of ratepayers
How can it take the municipality over three years to resurface a road?
Ward 12 residents in Falcon Road, Albersville and Raspberry Road, Umtwentweni have raised concerns over the poor state of the roads which need to be resurfaced.
Roy Pundith of Falcon Road said only the top section has been resurfaced and 300m more needs to be done.
“During heavy rain the road gets slippery and it is difficult to drive. Our cars also get stuck and we had to replace tyres,” he said.
“When we speak to our ward councillor, he says the municipality has no funds to complete the road. It’s been over three years and still there is no money.”
Ward 12 DA councillor, Leon Garbade said: “Falcon Road was partially resurfaced 10 years ago and at the time residents were promised that the municipality would return to complete the job. This has not happened. Numerous onsite visits took place with the former HOD of roads and residents, and assurances were given that the road would be resurfaced in the next financial year.”
Bill Stephens said the poor condition of Raspberry Lane has been reported regularly to Garbade and Ray Nkonyeni Municipality (RNM), however it has fallen on deaf ears.
“Some properties were on the market but the road is a major deterrent. Property values have declined as a result of how potential buyers perceive our road,” he added.
Stephens said he had to repair his car’s suspension twice at a cost of R3000.
“I succeeded in getting the municipality to deliver some aggregate to fill the potholes, but after the rains we were back to square one.”
Garbade agreed that Raspberry Road needs attention and was reported in 2018.
“RNM said before any work commenced on Raspberry Lane, Eskom needed to advise on the location of electricity cables. This is when the job stalled,” Garbade added.
RNM spokesperson, Simon April said Falcon Road is driveable, though half tarred and half-gravelled.
“Rasberry Lane is a tarred road, and the municipality is aware it is damaged. We have since engaged with Eskom to move their cable further from the road so that work can be done on the affected section. Eskom has since done surveying, and we are awaiting their response before commencing work.”
Eskom spokesperson Joyce Zingoni said an application to move the line was received on July 20. “Once an accurate route selection has been done, the survey department will draw up new designs which will allow for an accurate quotation. When the quotation is accepted and payment made, then the line will be moved.”
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