As a resident and Chairperson of Markon Villas Homeowners Association in Coaton Avenue, Selcourt, we agree completely with his comments about lack of traffic control, and the irresponsible behaviour of motorists in the area around the Selcourt Towers shopping centre.
Specifically, Coaton Avenue, Ramona Road and Hewitt Street all bordering the Selcourt Towers shopping centre.
Four years ago I was instrumental in eventually having the Roads Department (after 14 months) make changes to make traffic flow safer in the Hewitt Street and Coaton Avenue intersection by having the stop street and speed hump being installed. This after three incidents where vehicles lost control on the Hewitt Street / Coaton Avenue bend, and crashed through the complex boundary wall.
Even after the changes the motorists, and more specifically the taxis continue to ignore the stop street sign, and park in the traffic lane after exiting(ignoring) the stop street.
Sometimes two taxis park one behind the other in this traffic lane ignoring the ” No stopping” signs” with total disregard to the traffic that is backing up behind them at the stop street, and placing their and their passengers lives at risk.
This act of arrogance (or stupidity) needs to be stopped.
We walk our dogs early in the morning and late afternoon, and besides the area mentioned, Ramona Road is just as hazardous with the taxis overtaking one another, and then violently braking immediately after passing the front vehicle, to let their passengers disembark at the entrance to The Towers Centre.
This is at its worst early morning and late afternoon.
Besides the traffic violations, the littering around this shopping centre has worsened dramatically, and is an absolute disgrace.
The litter/rubbish comes from some the staff of the shopping centre shops who’s staff have their lunch breaks on the pavements around the centre on the owners pavements and they don’t clean-up after themselves. Also littering is caused by taxi passengers who just discard their food wrappings after eating anywhere in the area. In Coaton Avenue, Markon Villas’ perimeter wall is a favourite spot.
Only recently, we now have household rubbish scavengers sifting though the bags for what they find useful, and just leaving the remains to be scattered by the wind all over the area.
One area is at the “bus stop” over the road from Scotties Bistro in Coaton Avenue, and the other is in the veld in Ramona Road (opposite Andura Road) at “the informal restaurant”. Where is the Health Department in both cases?
I have all my correspondence from over the years to the metro, and also one from a traffic prosecutor, who took photo’s of these violations and sent them to the Roads department pointing out the problems, in September 2011, and still nothing has been done.
I’ve also e-mailed copies of all correspondence to the DA Ward Councillor last year, and have heard nothing back from him even after providing him with my contact details.
The Towers Shopping Centre should also take some responsibility for the environment and cleanliness of the residential area, and our Parks Department needs to place refuse bins all around the area – and empty them daily! The whole area surrounding the centre is a disgrace, and as a resident I’m ashamed to have to say we live here.
Perhaps with elections on the way, someone will get their act together?
Nick Russouw
