The state of Edenvale has left much to be desired by motorists, residents and business owners alike.
Stormwater drains lie in disrepair, collapsed, blocked and virtually useless during heavy storms while damage caused by the 2016 floods remains largely unattended.
The town’s roads are riddled with potholes seemingly held together by patches of tar and sheer luck.
Every week a new issue rears its head, frustrating residents even further or pushing them into the arms of apathy.
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On a weekly basis, the NEWS receives a variety of service delivery related concerns, ranging from roads, overgrown sidewalks, crumbling stormwater infrastructure and lack of general maintenance, all leading to the further deterioration of the former jewel of the East and surrounding areas.
In a recent meeting with business owner Tony Haldenby, Edenvale journalist Stephan Lehman was shown a multitude of photographs showing the unabated deterioration.
Haldenby’s photographs were taken in the span of one week, they too showed potholes, damaged stormwater drains and by-law infringements.
“Over the years I have seen a steady deterioration of the town, but in the past 10 to 15 years it has just accelerated.
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“Edenvale is one of the largest revenue providers for the city, but we get almost no service delivery.”
He said in one month alone he had to replace three rims on his cars.
Although Haldenby is frustrated by the lack of service delivery, he feels there is no point in reporting the matter as nothing gets done.
In Ward 18 Clr Heather Hart’s opinion is the state of Edenvale’s roads is nothing short of shocking.
“The City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) management have a lot to answer for in allowing our roads to deteriorate to the extent that they have,” said Hart.
Like Haldenby, Hart highlighted concerns about damaged stormwater drains and weeds along roads throughout Edenvale.
“I am not only embarrassed to drive on our roads, but feel overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the issue, which is just not being properly addressed,” said Hart.
Hart believes the deterioration of the roads is a result of the roads depot being understaffed and not having enough resources.
“The depot was left with minimum staff to manage roads in Boksburg North, Edenvale and Bedfordview.
“Internal roads maintenance budgets were reduced to a minimum and most funding is allocated to contractors with various degrees of expertise,” said Hart.
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Hart said only a small percentage of the roads in need of repairs is repaired.
Despite the seemingly endless number of potholes on our roads, Hart believes there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
On April 16 she told the NEWS one road rehabilitation contractor and pothole patching contractors were appointed to repair roads in Ward 18, 19, 20 and 92.
The contractors who were appointed in March will be managed by a consultant who was appointed three weeks ago by the municipality.
“It is in the mandate of the consultant to assist the contractors to ensure the contractors work as efficient as possible.”
Hart said before road repairs will commence again, the roads depot is waiting for funding to be allocated to it.
“Edenvale ratepayers really do not ask for much. We want roads we can drive on, pavements we can walk on, gutters and stormwater systems that are clear of weeds, rubble and litter,” said Hart.
Ward 92 Clr Tiziana Plaskitt said although some pothole repair work started in the Meadowdale area, she believes the potholes are being repaired with substandard material.
The NEWS was shown two large potholes on Kuschke Street which appeared filled with stones and sand.
She explained potholes which started as small shoe size holes deteriorated into much larger holes.
Residents and community members brought the matter to her attention.
Plaskitt believes the potholes in Tunney and Meadowdale can largely be attributed to the lack of maintenance and the heavy vehicles making use of the roads.
A request for comment was sent to the CoE’s communication department on April 16, requesting comment by April 17 at 1.30pm.
At the time of going to print no comment was received.
