The condition of Brickfield Road and illegal dumping are a concern for Clr Tiziana Plaskitt of ward 92.
Also read: Brickfield and Herman are death traps
Plaskitt told the NEWS on April 21 that she requested the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) to close the road to prevent further deterioration of the road.
Despite the attempts of the municipality to close the road, motorists still make use of the road.
“People have stolen the signs and moved the barriers to use the road,” said Plaskitt.
She explained that she asked the EMM to close the road until the resources needed to repair the road are available.
The deteriorating condition of Brickfield is not a new concern.
The NEWS has published numerous articles on the condition of this road. It becomes worse after every rainstorm.
Plaskitt said that the tipping point for Brickfield’s deterioration was the November 9 floods of 2016.
She said two factors contributed to the road’s deterioration.
According to Plaskitt, the factors were the volume of water that afternoon and the blocked stormwater systems alongside the road.
“Because of the blocked stormwater infrastructure, the rainwater pooled on the road, creating potholes,” said Plaskitt.
Plaskitt told the NEWS a roads department engineer had previously explained to her how potholes formed.
She said when the water sits on a road for a long time it eventually seeps into the road and the various layers which make up the road.
“When pressure is put on the road a cavity eventually forms and the road collapses on itself,” said Plaskitt.
Over time and with continued use of a road, the size of potholes grow.
Also read: Flooding – an ongoing issue
Plaskitt believes that developments in the area have contributed to the stormwater infrastructure being blocked.
She said sand washed from these developments and debris contribute to the blocked drains.
Plaskitt added that besides the sand and debris blocking drains, she believes illegal dumping is also to blame.
“Illegal dumping is a plague in the municipality,” said Plaskitt.
She believes that residents are either ignorant, lazy or disregard the law.
Plaskitt said besides contributing to the blocking of the stormwater infrastructure, illegal dumping brings with it negative elements, such as:
- An environment which could cause bodily harm.
- A flammable environment and an environment which could attract vermin and snakes.
She urged residents to report illegal dumping to the EMPD or to local ward councillors.
Plaskitt said ultimately the whole of Brickfield Road needs to be redone.
A request for comment was sent to the EMM asking for an update on the repair work of Brickfield Road as well as information about reporting illegal dumping.
The NEWS had asked the municipality to provide information on the location of municipal dumps and what could be dumped at these sites.
At the time of going to print no comment had been received.
Contact Plaskitt on 082 864 9562.
The NEWS reported in March this year that potholes can be reported by contacting the call centre on 0860 543 000, go to the Ekurhuleni Mobile app or SMS 30788.
Watch: Mud deposited on Brickfield Road following heavy rains
