Sugar Mill Road in disrepair
The Department of Transport is looking at Sugar Mill Road, ahead of the closure of the Mzimkhulu River Bridge.
Many South Coasters have welcomed the repairs to be carried out on the Mzimkhulu River Bridge; however, some are concerned about the alternative route – Sugar Mill Road (P464), which has been in disrepair for many years.
On receiving a notice of the closure of the bridge, Selvan Chetty, a local activist, has been inundated with calls and messages from irate residents and travellers who felt that the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport (DOT) failed to consider its most important stakeholders, it’s people, before making this decision.
Chetty said the department does not plan and strategise accordingly as the closure will not only inconvenience residents, but the alternative route will not be able to withstand the increase in traffic.
He has written to DOT and also called on officials to assess the P464.
“It’s unfortunate that multiple requests to DOT Southern KZN office to cut verges, clear pavements and repair wash away roads and embankments have yielded little or no results, in most cases. Sugar Mill Road has gaping holes, cracks and uncut verges, which make it impossible for two vehicles to safely pass on certain sections.”
“The road leading to the old sugar mill is in ruins. Two embankments washed away several years ago, which reduced the road to a single lane, and it has not been repaired. Since then, sand mining has made the upper embankment unstable, which could affect the road above, which is Oscar Borchers Road,” added Chetty.
Also, South Coast resident and engineering surveyor Glen Sutton said people who walk along the P464 are risking their lives. “The area where a lot of sand has been removed is not stable. As this section gets wet from rain, some parts have collapsed. Also, there are many cracks on this road which in time will collapse too,” said Sutton.
At a meeting held at Ray Nkonyeni Municipality last Wednesday it was acknowledged that the P464 was not a viable alternative route. Councillors, ratepayers’ associations and the South African National Taxi Council agreed that the only viable route is the N2 toll road.
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