After years of continued deterioration, Brickfield Road has officially been closed by the City of Ekurhuleni.
Municipal workers erected a sign on the road behind the Meadowdale Checkers shopping centre on May 21.
The road which often resembled little more than a pond after heavy rains will be closed until further notice.
Clr Tiziana Plaskitt of Ward 92 said the road has never been in a good condition but started to deteriorate rapidly after the November 2016 floods.
Also read: Future flooding to be reduced in Meadowdale
“During the floods, silt was washed down the hill by the rains and subsequently blocked the stormwater infrastructure along the road.”
When Plaskitt first became ward councillor the road needed some attention but could still be used by community members.
Community members now risk damaging their vehicles if they drive through the waterlogged and pothole lined road.
Plaskitt said trucks also contributed to the deterioration of the road.
“Brickfield was never constructed for large vehicles, it is not an industrial road.”
Plaskitt said once the road is closed it will be repaired by the municipality.
Also read: VIDEOS: Thunderstorms bring Edenvale, Bedfordview traffic to a standstill
She explained the rehabilitation of Brickfield Road is part of the same project which has seen recent repair work done to nearby Meadowdale roads and stormwater infrastructure.
“The stormwater infrastructure along Brickfield Road needs to be cleaned, repaired and upgraded, if necessary,” said Plaskitt.
Although the road will be repaired, Plaskitt is uncertain when the repair work will be done.
“As the nearby rehabilitation project continues, engineers might postpone repairing Brickfield Road and use their resources on more urgent matters,” said Plaskitt.
In addition to the poor condition of Brickfield Road, illegally dumped refuse lines the pavement of the road.
Along the road construction rubble, a damaged bath, plastic containers and polyethylene beads can be seen.
“Because the road is so isolated, community members and businesses dump refuse along it,” said Plaskitt.
Also read: Brickfield and Herman are death traps
In attempts to prevent further illegal dumping, Plaskitt has submitted numerous petitions and sent information to CoE’s solid waste department.
Plaskitt encouraged community members to report sites of illegal dumping or individuals in the process of dumping illegally.
“If you can, try to get a photograph of the vehicle’s number plate,” said Plaskitt.
Photographs or videos can be sent to Plaskitt or to the EMPD.
Contact Plaskitt on 082 864 9562.
A request for comment was sent to the CoE on May 22 requesting comment by May 24 by 4pm.
At the time of going to print no comment had been received.
cta – pics
