Concerned residents lament overgrown state of Lodeyko
The residents believe something must be done before it is too late.
Francis Swart, Celeste Snyman, and Jacques Norton are three of the many residents concerned about the overgrown vegetation on Colliery Road.
The bushes and grass, last cut in 2021, have encroached over the pavement and grown taller than the average person.
“The long grass makes it a problem for people, especially school-going children, to walk through. They now walk on the roads to avoid getting mugged or possibly bitten by snakes,” says Swart.
Norton, born and living in Lodeyko, says the street has become a hotspot for drug users because he caught a pair behind his property’s wall.
“I would not have seen them because the long grass concealed them.”
He adds that the grass also reduces the visibility of oncoming cars, especially around the bend. It is alleged that this poor visibility has contributed to and caused multiple car accidents, including one on Friday when cars collided, causing fatalities.
The Springs Advertiser awaits details about the accident from officials. Snyman says it is a shame because she is wary of using the road, as it is a safety hazard.
“Commutes to school and work take longer because I must take the longer route getting around. You never know what will happen because you can’t see anything.”
The primary frustration is that rates are high, but residents continue to pay on time, but do not receive the services to which they are entitled.
“If you miss a payment, they will cut off your water, but they expect us to understand when they say they have no money or can’t perform their duties,” she laments.
The group says they are tired of waiting for the municipality to act and that something must be done.
“At this rate, we will take our own tools and deal with the grass, but the metro must meet us halfway and deduct the money they would have spent fulfilling their duties.”
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