Plinlimmon Road needs a fix
The hole is in Plinlimmon Road, corner Pelion Road.
Notorious Plinlimmon Road at The Hill is known for speeding motorists and accidents.
Now, on the same road on the corner of Pelion Road, a big hole, which is filled with sand, has also become a problem for motorists since January.
Residents have called for the hole to be repaired and tarred, however, it has not been done as of August 13.
It has been established that Joburg Water (JW) was attending leaking pipes in Plinlimmon Road when this hole was left not properly filled.
Ward 56 councillor Michael Crichton said workers used sand to make the road safer for the motorists.
“The Johannesburg Road Agency (JRA) was supposed to put tar on top of it. In this case, this was logged as reinstatement. There is a process between JW and JRA for this to be fixed.
“There might be reluctance from JRA to do the job because they are waiting for work order from JW and the budget to be transferred to them. JRA do not use independent contractors, they do all the repairs and reinstatements themselves.
“There is also a problem at the asphalt plant as it is not operating at its maximum capacity. Also JRA is working on 30 per cent staff capacity because of lockdown Level 3. This has been reported to both JW and JRA managers and I will keep on applying pressure so that it can be sorted,” explained Crichton.
A local resident Odette Simpson said this is not acceptable. She said this is a disaster to happen.
In other correspondence to JRA and JW, Odette said she realised that the lockdown has delayed matters, but this was reported and should have been fixed already.
“We have cars swerving all over the place on the very busy road to avoid the hole. This needs to be escalated as a very urgent matter. This obstruction is a hazard and has been since January. “If someone gets hurt who is going to be responsible? Please this is eight months down the line and it is no ordinary obstruction; it is a sinking hole on the busiest road in the South,” she said.
A media inquiry was sent to both JRA and JW for comment. The COURIER will keep the readers afloat of the developments.
