Resolution needed for vadalised traffic lights on Peace Street intersections
“There is no warning and we are just waiting for a big accident to happen.”
Cable theft and vandalism are affecting several intersections along Peace Street.
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This information was shared with Bedfordview and Edenvale NEWS by the Johannesburg Roads Agency after concerns regarding malfunctioning and vandalised traffic lights in the greater Modderfontein area and Linbro Park was highlighted.
The traffic lights in question have not worked for several weeks and in some instances months.
According to community member Henni Roodt, the traffic lights in question are located along Peace Street a main thoroughfare which connects, Greenstone Kempton Park, Modderfontein and Linbro Park to the N3 Highway and Johannesburg.
Some of the traffic lights identified by Roodt and the NEWS which aren’t functional include those located at the insertions of Old Johannesburg Road and Peace Street, School Road and Peace Street, and Long Meadow Boulevard and Peace Street.
“It’s not because of load-shedding,” explained Roodt.
“Some of the intersections have been non-functional for several months.”
At the intersection of School Road and Peace Street, where an entrance to Nobel Primary School is located, several traffic lights have been cut down.
During the publication’s visit to the site, it appeared as if the cables from inside the traffic light poles had been cut and taken.
Roodt said he noticed the damaged traffic light poles lying on the pavement in the middle of January.
“After taking a closer look I noticed that the poles had been cut.”
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Roodt said as the street lamps on Peace Street do not work, he believes the infrastructure was cut down at night.
He said what had been done at the intersection was vandalism.
Besides highlighting concerns about the aspect of vandalism Roodt said there is a security concern.
“Heritage Mature Lifestyle Estate is located down the road and most of the residents are over 70, they aren’t that alert anymore.”
He said the non-functioning traffic lights pose a danger to them as motorists often don’t stop at traffic lights that aren’t working.
While speaking to Roodt at the intersection of School Road and Peace Street, the NEWS witnessed several motorists drive through the non-functioning intersection.
“There is no warning and we are just waiting for a big accident to happen.”
In addition, Roodt believes that the City of Johannesburg needs to remove its infrastructure from the location to recuperate some of its losses and prevent the poles from being taken.
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JRA’s customer relations management confirmed that the identified intersections are being affected by cable theft and vandalism.
The committee informed the NEWS that the matter is being addressed.
“Resolution is unconfirmed at the moment,” said JRA.
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