Flooding on Modderfontein Valley Road bridge is a constant problem, even when the rain is not too heavy.
Heavy rains accompanied by high winds can uproot and topple large, mature trees, which is referred to as wind-throw effect.
This is according to Thabang Mokone, the manager of Urban Forestry and Nurseries of Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ).
Ward 32 Clr Bongani Nkomo said he hoped to see City Parks and Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) working together proactively, instead of reacting after the damage of roads and stormwater drains.
Flooding and wind-throw have been one of the concerns of this season, leaving trees broken and stormwater drains flooded.
“As soon as trees fall and block roads, someone should be deployed to make sure they are cleared,” said Nkomo.
Mokone said JCPZ does react to fallen trees through standby teams or contractors.
“We proactively respond to problem areas through developed maintenance schedules,” he said.
According to Mokone, City Parks has assessors to check damaged trees on a routine basis when there are heavy rains.
“JCPZ does conduct tree health and risk assessments as well. Certain tree species have shallow root systems that are naturally vulnerable to wind-throw effect.
“When the ground becomes soft and saturated with moisture from heavy rain, the succeeding wind can easily lift those trees with shallow root systems and blow them over,” said Mokone.
“JRA does some of the removals of logs and vegetation under the bridges by appointment. The maintenance of stormwater drains and channels is JRA’s responsibility. This includes removal of vegetation in all these areas,” said Mokone.
“JCPZ is responsible for vegetation removal in water bodies within areas zoned as Public Open Spaces and Parks.”
To report a fallen tree obstructing the road send an email to trees@jhbcityparks.com or register enquiries on the Joburg Connect Call Centre on 011 375 5555.
JRA’s response:
JRA acknowledge that flooding on Modderfontein Valley Road is a constant problem.
According to Ward 32 Clr Bongani Nkomo, JRA is not proactive and has no team assembled to inspect problem areas after heavy rains.
Zoleka Jika, communications officer of JRA, said the last time the Valley Road Bridge stormwater drains in Modderfontein cleared was in November/December 2018.
“There are personnel who regularly service stormwater drains and the teams are based in the regions, but some drains are serviced much more regularly than others which, at times, puts a strain on the resources. Drains are cleaned periodically at predetermined intervals to make sure they operate at full capacity. They are also cleaned whenever there’s a report on blockages.”
Jika said some drains are not designed for higher than normal rainfall, especially those experienced in the last three years with effects of global warming.
“Where capacity of the infrastructure is a challenge, investigations are undertaken and a Stormwater Master Plan (SMP) is. Then projects are scheduled through the Capex programme.”
Blockages outside normal periodic maintenance will always be reactive, but with infrastructure capacity constraints the rollout of SMP is done in accordance with priorities.
JRA advised councillors and residents to help be conscientised about the effects of throwing foreign objects into stormwater drains.
“The problem of littering in drains is continuing. As a result, JRA is preparing the awareness campaign around this.”
