WATCH: Truck backlog causes nightmare for N2 farmers
Farmers along the national route are now faced with their farm entrances being blocked by the heavy-duty vehicles
While the City of uMhlathuze traffic department has succeeded in easing truck congestion on the John Ross highway by stacking them on the N2, farmers along the national route are now faced with their farm entrances being blocked by the heavy-duty vehicles.
This coupled with the death-defying act of having to peak through stationary trucks to gain access to the busy freeway.
ALSO READ: WATCH: Miles-long queue of trucks on N2 outside Richards Bay
This as the trucks await entry to the Port of Richards Bay.
Farm owner James Braithwaite described the situation as a ‘death trap’ and has pleaded for a speedy intervention.
“My family cannot get in or out of the gate most of the time because the drivers block the entrances,” he said.
“They queue one behind the other and when one truck moves forward as and when it is allowed onto the John Ross, the whole line moves forward and they continue to block our driveways.
“If there is a gap, you cannot see the oncoming cars and have to stick the nose of your vehicle into the road to look up and down. Oftentimes, there is a coal truck approaching, overtaking a stationary one to jump the queue.
“It is very scary and extremely dangerous – we often cannot even get off the farm,” said an exasperated Braithwaite.
He said the only other option is using an alternative route.
“We have to drive through the bush, on a dirt road to get out. While we understand the difficult situation for both the drivers and the [traffic officers], a permanent solution is needed.
“There are no ablution facilities for the drivers, and they park there for hours on end and have to sometimes relieve themselves near our entrances.”
Another farm owner, who asked not to be named, has two properties along the N2 and says the situation has had a negative impact on daily operations.
“The properties are 3km from each other but when the entrances are blocked, we can’t get from one to the other. The trucks are parked back-to-back – it’s an absolute nightmare,” said the farmer.
“If we are driving on the N2 and need to turn into one of the farms, one person has to get out to ask the truck driver to move. We are risking our lives,” he said.
Temporary measure
As part of a temporary plan to ensure traffic flow and minimise long queues of heavy vehicles in the city, traffic officials allow only a certain number of trucks at a time onto the John Ross to off-load at the Port of Richards Bay.
This causes a backlog of heavy vehicles on the N2.
Speaking to the ZO on Wednesday, uMhlathuze communications manager Bongani Gina said they would engage Transnet and the traffic department in an effort to resolve the current matter.
“As the municipality, we have a duty to ensure residents are safe and are able to access their properties.
“We will, therefore, engage relevant stakeholders on this matter and in the meantime, we plead with truck drivers to obey the rules of the road, and be mindful not to block exits and entrances while queuing to enter the John Ross,” said Gina.
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