No streetlights at circles

The Ekurhuleni Metro gave insight on the reasons of erecting the new circles in Clydesdale Road.

According to metro spokesman Thembe Gadebe, the installation of the three new circles was done based on the recommendations from a traffic impact study.

This was conducted by the appointed traffic engineer of the developer of Daggafontein Extension Six.

“The study was constructed entirely at the expense of the developer,” he says.

The designs and construction supervision of these works has been done by a firm of very capable, experienced consulting engineers.

“They are responsible for the adequacy and correctness of its design, in perpetuity,” says Gadebe.

The purpose of the circles is to improve the operational level at these intersections.

There are clear advantages over three-way and four-way stop controls under most traffic volumes, reducing both speeds and delays at the intersections.

By reducing the speed of the vehicles entering the circles, it improves the intersections in terms of safety because of the fact that mini-roundabouts require much less physical space than conventional roundabouts which are very popular both locally and internationally.

Daggafontein resident Louis Murray says what confuses him most is that nothing has been done to illuminate them.

“It creates a very dangerous situation as has been proven by the numerous accidents which have occurred recently,” he adds.

Clydesdale Community Police Forum spokesman Barries Barnard said the recent accident where a motorcyclist hit the first circle on the corner of Reier and Clydesdale roads, shows that serious accidents are occurring more frequently.

EMPD spokesman Vusi Mabanga says the 66-year-old man sustained serious injuries after the accident and was taken to the Far East Rand Hospital for treatment.

Gadebe believes the main concern about the public’s complaints seem to be law enforcement issues.

He refers to the traffic failing to reduce speed and also reckless driving, which is a matter of law enforcement by the metro police.

Instruction has been given to the contractor to replace the semi-mountable kerbs along the bell-mouths of the intersections.

He adds they have to modify the mountable kerb around the raised centre of the circle.

This is to make it easier for larger vehicles, when they cannot drive around the circle, to drive over the raised centre of the circle.

This modification is expected to be completed within the next two weeks.

Barnard says maybe proper lighting and road signs will warn people of the circle ahead and reduce accidents.

“I agree that the installation of additional streetlights and additional road signs would improve the safety at these intersections,” says Gadebe.

“The question remains,” says Barnard, “when will these lights and road signs be installed?”