Interim repairs on Marine Drive ‘not enough’, says councillor
Communities along the South Coast have repeatedly raised concerns about this stretch of road.
Minor repair work has begun on Marine Drive in Ramsgate, bringing some relief to motorists after months of concern over the deteriorating roadway.
However, ward councillor Alan Bosch says the temporary fixes carried out by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport (DoT) fall far short of the full rehabilitation the route urgently requires.
The improvement comes after months of continuous pressure from Bosch and the Ramsgate Ratepayers’ Association, who have repeatedly raised the alarm about the mounting safety risks and economic impact caused by the worsening condition of the road.
“While these interim measures have marginally improved safety ahead of the busy December holiday season, they fall far short of the full rehabilitation that this vital route urgently requires. Marine Drive has deteriorated into a serious hazard due to years of departmental indecision, poorly coordinated planning and the unexplained stagnation of the long-promised rehabilitation project.”
Bosch said the partial patching at bridge approaches and the closing of several dangerous potholes are welcome, but these are temporary fixes for a problem that demands structural intervention.
“Communities along the South Coast have repeatedly raised concerns about vehicle damage, accidents, delays to emergency services, and the broader impact on tourism and the local economy.”
He said that DoT’s ongoing silence and lack of transparency on timelines, contractor appointments and progress reports are unacceptable.
An enquiry was sent to DoT, and a response is being awaited.
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