New billboard could destabilise R24 embankment
Ward 20 councillor Jill Humphreys said the structural integrity of embankment on which it will be situated has potentially been compromised.
The imminent installation of a new billboard in Bedfordview has raised several concerns over safety and whether the correct processes were followed.
ALSO READ: Gillooly’s billboard owners charged
Ward 20 councillor Jill Humphreys said the structural integrity of the embankment on which it will be situated has potentially been compromised.
The foundations for the billboard were laid next to the R24 beside the Van de Linde Road bridge and spans in excess of 10m.
“The opposite side of the highway beneath Boeing Road West is correctly stabilised but on the Van de Linde Road side there is nothing,” Humphreys said.
She added that excavations at the site were first noticed at the end of February by members of Bedfordview’s Residents Action Group (RAG).
The matter was reported to the Gauteng provincial government to who the land belongs.
In March, the excavations were filled with concrete and foundational rebar.
“I’m worried that this billboard will go up over a long weekend when very little could be done to stop the work,” Humphreys said.
As work on site continued from February, concerns were raised with officials from the provincial government and, according to Humphreys, very little was done to stop the installation.
“It feels as though provincial is deliberately ignoring this potential hazard. This billboard could destabilise the embankment and pose a serious, even life-threatening threat, for motorists using the R24,” she said.
“Bedfordview already has an excess of billboards. Do we really need another one, and a hazardous one at that?”
Chairperson for RAG Marina Constas confirmed its reaction officers were the first to notice movement at the site of the billboard.
“RAG’s reaction vehicles patrol our area 24/7. RAG has been protecting our community for 20 years, and we are proud to have a team that notices anything out of the ordinary in our area,” said Constas.
“When the billboard construction activity was first noticed by our reaction officers, they asked the contractor if they had the correct wayleaves and permits.
“Our experienced team knows the correct procedure, and they knew exactly what to do in this instance. The workers ran away.”
Constas said the next time that RAG’s reaction officers spotted contractors on site and spoke to them, they were connected to a supervisor who was rude to the RAG officer.
“The proliferation of billboards marring our beautiful area is concerning. Not only are they eyesores causing unattractive environmental clutter, but they have proved to be dangerous. Part of the huge illegal billboard at Gillooly’s was damaged in a storm a few years ago and endangered motorists travelling underneath it.
“The billboards can distract drivers. Contractors have also illegally cut down trees in our suburb to make space for billboards.
“RAG and the Better Bedfordview initiative that RAG founded are committed to making our area safe, tidy, clean and green. These billboards are jeopardising this vision that is shared by all caring and community-spirited residents.”
When the NEWS visited the site last week with Humphreys, no contractors were on site.
The NEWS contacted the provincial Department of Roads and Transport for comment on April 11.
An enquiry was sent that focused on when approval for the billboard was obtained and which department approved the installation. The NEWS also questioned whether consultations took place with the City of Ekurhuleni officials.
In the enquiry, the NEWS requested details for the company responsible for the billboard and questioned which safety standards need to be adhered to when a billboard of this nature is installed.
Comment was requested by April 13 at 10:00, but at the time of the deadline, no comment had been received.
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