Ward 32 councillor for Greenstone and Modderfontein, Clr Darren Bergman, said he has fought since 2011 to have issues in Greenstone resolved.
“The Greenstone and Modderfontein areas have historical issues such as a lack of street signs and a lack of capacity for the traffic count in the area,” said Clr Bergman.
He added that the problems experienced in Greenstone are only going to get worse with less space to expand the roads.
“I have proposed one-way streets and a traffic study to accommodate the growth and have had engineers from the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) on site on several occasions at the main intersections of Modderfontein Road. These included Van Riebeeck Avenue, Emerald Boulevard and the M54,” said Clr Bergman.
Despite this, the feedback to Clr Bergman “has always been that no increase in traffic calming measures are necessary”.
“I have requested, through an email sent in 2012, for a meeting between the various complexes or even an invitation to attend their body corporate meetings so that the issues could be discussed,” said Clr Bergman.
To date, the only complex to take up the offer has been Aloe Place.
“We have decided that the best way forward is to hold a public meeting. There is a concern over taxis in terms of the routes and formal ranks. Modderfontein is a main arterial route and there should be a proper resource for both drivers and commuters,” he said.
According to Clr Bergman, maintenance in the Greenstone area is vital.
“A sinkhole occurred on a newly-built road in Greenstone when I took over ward 32. This scared me because this was a new road,” he said.
Despite his growing concerns, Clr Bergman was assured the roads were in a great condition.
“I was also concerned at the sight of the new pothole occurring because it instantly brought a sense of de-javu.
“The problem is these roads have become thoroughfares between Edenvale, Kempton Park, Malboro and Johannesburg. It is also not uncommon to see trucks over the limit of five tons enjoying these roads,” said Clr Bergan.
He added that with e-tolling forcing more motorists off the highways and onto roads like those in Greenstone, the JRA and Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) needed to find a balance between pro-activeness and reactiveness.
“Either way, our crystal ball shows more development in Greenstone which is already landlocked. The only way to deal with issues like this is to be more vocal when it comes to town planning applications or to start petitions,” said Clr Bergman.
“I also want to assure the community that our best chance of positive change is to get out of the arm-chairs and join the fight in protecting our suburbs,” he said.
