Campaign addresses trucking issues
A simple Google form has been developed for residents to fill out in the event of experiencing any trucking-related violation on the road.
A TRUCKING campaign aimed at addressing concerns about truck-related issues was launched recently.
The campaign aims to empower residents to make their voices heard in matters pertaining to neighbouring communities bearing the brunt of traffic jams, accidents, toxic emissions, illicit parking, and damaged infrastructure.
South Durban communities of the Bluff, Wentworth, Merebank, Clairwood are encouraged to make as many reports about trucks in violation of by-laws as possible.
The South Durban Community Environmental Alliance’s (SDCEA) environmental project officer, Shanice Firmin, said because of the increased volumes of trucks and congestion in and around the port of Durban, the campaign is stretched to other areas.
These include Glenwood, Umbilo, Seaview, Chatsworth and Isipingo. “The issue is we don’t have a formal rail system in place at the moment,” she said. “Therefore, we have huge volumes of trucks on our roads.”
“Residential areas should not be used as a thoroughfare for heavy-duty trucks. A few community representatives that have been active in our communities have worked together to develop a flyer encouraging affected residents to join the trucking campaign and empower other residents to get involved,” she said.
Firmin said that behind the scenes, the private sector, together with Transnet, are developing and looking at alternative plans to resolve the issue.
“We have supported the call for the Cato Ridge Dry Port for many years and continue to promote the rail system from the harbour to the Cato Ridge Dry Port to shift the volume of trucks off the road and onto the rail.”
“With mushrooming container depots, small-scale businesses are being destroyed. Livelihoods, homes, and people’s safety are threatened. Visible and effective policing is non-existent.”
She said the rail system will alleviate the impact that locals are currently experiencing.
“We are calling for enforced regulation of trucking activities, a well-monitored and controlled system to protect the rights of all those directly or indirectly affected by trucking and port logistics, investment in sustainable rail and multi-modal hubs, such as the Cato Ridge Dry Port, and formalisation of approved trucking routes and no-go areas.”
“We’ve developed a simple Google form for residents to fill out in the event of experiencing any trucking-related violation on the road. You can help by reporting incidents to Metro Police on their complaints line on 031-361-0000.”
“Get a reference number and name of the consultant. Once you have received that information, you are urged to complete our Google form and we will do the follow-up. If you have not been able to report the incident, please still provide the details of the incident on the Google form.”
“When residents respond using the Google form their information will be captured immediately. The statistics collated by the form will aid us to engage further with Metro Police and other role players to resolve the issues residents are experiencing with trucks,” said Firmin.
To access the form, click here. For more information, call or send a WhatsApp to Shanice Firmin on the dedicated phone number on 069-118-4227 or email truckingcampaign21@gmail.com.
