RESIDENTS in Bale Avenue, Montclair are frustrated over the shoddy work of municipal workers after they allegedly dug a huge trench close to residential driveways and just left it open.

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Trench left open for over three weeks

Municipal workers came to fix a burst pipe a number of weeks ago. Residents said the trench that was dug had been left uncovered and this was causing potential danger and significant inconvenience to the public. No solid barriers had been put into place to warn road users.

Residents call on eThekwini to fix the trench as a matter of urgency

Now residents fear that motorists travelling at night could drive into the trench, damaging their cars and possibly being injured. A resident, Photis Tsouris, said the road has become a disaster waiting to happen.

“I travel on this road every day. We are unable to use the left lane because of the huge trench left open on the side of the road. The rubble was left on the pavement and in the road.

“The workers were fixing a damaged water pipe. It’s totally unacceptable that they left the trench open,” he said.

Another resident, Desmond Sawyer, called on authorities to fix the trench as a matter of urgency.

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Christine Fleischmann said walking and driving through Bale Avenue has become an unpleasant experience with the dug up rubble scattered on the pavement and in the road.

“It’s been almost six weeks. Residents are frustrated as we have been calling eThekwini Municipality continuously, but without response from them,” said Fleischmann.

Deputy chairperson of the Montwood Ratepayers Association, Heidi Geyser, said the matter has been referred to the ward 64 councillor, Gavin Hegter.

“He continues to follow up and gives feedback. The Montwood Ratepayers Association aims to fights for the rights of the residents,” said Geyser.

Attempts to get a comment from Hegter were unsuccessful at the time of publication.

Complaints related to the repair and maintenance of municipal roads and the stormwater system may be directed to the Roads and Stormwater Department or call engineering unit’s 24-hour call centre on toll-free 080 131 3013 or email Eservices@durban.gov.za

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