Blocked bridge could lead to disaster, DA warns
The Branchville bridge is at risk of collapsing as debris is blocking the natural flow of the water from a nearby stream.
Promises to keep the bridge in Blanchville free from debris appear to been nothing more than ‘water under the bridge’.
Once again, the passageway is clogged with tree vegetation and litter.
A blocked water channel was the very reason for the collapse of the bridge after heavy rain in 2016.
“History is going to repeat itself,” said Ward 20 councillor, Maureen Scheepers.
According to her, the matter was reported to the Emalahleni Local Municipality’s roads and stormwater division on June 24, with a request that the blockage be cleared before heavy rains result in a dangerous situation.
Two weeks down the line, however, the blockage has not been addressed.
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On July 8, Scheepers visited the location to inspect the situation personally and still there was no sign of any attempt to clear the debris.
According to Scheepers, the primary cause of the current blockage appears to be illegal tree cutting taking place along the stream.
“This illegal activity has been reported numerous times, yet it continues. Individuals are cutting down trees in the Blancheville and Jackaroo areas, removing them from the environment and selling the wood as firewood,” Scheepers explained. “Not only is this causing environmental damage, but the discarded branches are now contributing to blocked waterways and creating a serious public safety risk. Those responsible must be identified and held accountable.”
Scheepers said the roads and stormwater department should look into installing a debris catchment system further upstream from the bridge.
Such a structure would trap branches, logs and other debris before it reaches the bridge, allowing municipal teams to remove the material during scheduled maintenance instead of waiting for dangerous blockages to develop.
“This is about prevention rather than reaction. We know exactly what caused the bridge to collapse in 2016. We cannot allow ourselves to face another tragedy because we failed to act on the warning signs that are right in front of us today. A simple catchment system that is inspected and cleaned regularly could significantly reduce the risk of future blockages, protect the bridge and most importantly, save lives.”
The municipality was approached for comment, but had not responded by the time going to press.
