Pedestrians who make use of the newly paved walk-ways along Baker Street have to share the pavement with busses, taxis and trucks.
“Council spent an awful lot of money laying paving along Baker Road between Harris Avenue and Palliser Road and we have received many compliments. It has greatly improved the area for which residents and pedestrians are grateful,” said the ward 18 councillor, Clr Heather Hart.
The area at the corner of Baker and Ferero streets has become a used car lot, while just off Steyn Street the paved section has become an informal taxi rank.
“Then, near the Karaglen Shopping Centre, truck drivers park and take their lunch hour, or two,” said Clr Hart.
“Surely if I see all these contraventions, officers from the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) who are driving all around each and every day see them,” she added. “We have to stop this before it gets worse,” said Clr Hart.
According to Clr Hart, she warned council at the time the paving was laid that bollards would need to be placed along the road.
“We need to do this as a matter of urgency now. There was no grass planted as part of the rehabilitation process and when it rains, trucks and taxis gouge out large ruts in the mud,” said Clr Hart.
The NEWS sent an enquiry on the matter to the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality’s (EMM) department of brand management and communications for comment on February 21.
Comment was requested by February 26.
At the time of going to print, no comment was received.
