Mixed thoughts on Pretoria Road project
There has been a mixed reception to the road works currently underway on Pretoria Road, in Northmead.
The upgrade project, which was allocated a budget of R11-million, has caused disruptions for several people living and working in the area.
The work is meant to repair and expand the road between the crossings with Robinson and Parker streets.
Because the road is expanding in width, many houses cannot use their driveways now and, instead, several houses in a certain section share one of two driveways.
Heather Vesagie, who lives at 213 Pretoria Road, said the work is not very disruptive.
“My driveway is one of two for this section and it’s not too bad, people are quite polite when they are waiting to get in or out,” she said.
Not everyone, however, reacted to the project so calmly.
“It’s affecting us very negatively, we didn’t have enough warning,” said Mandy Cameron, owner of 205 Pretoria Road.
Cameron lets out part of the property to a beauty and hair studio and says the business is losing much of its clientele.
“They didn’t plan this properly; the clients have to park on the opposite side of the road, then walk all the way around the works to get to the property,” she explained.
Cameron fears the project will have devastating effects on businesses in Pretoria Road, especially where delivery trucks are involved.
On June 3, before the road works had started, Clr Gerrie Kriek (Ward 27) and Jacques Meiring (Gauteng Federal Council representative) went along Pretoria Road, door-to-door, to inform businesses of the coming road works and the possible disruptions it might cause.
Cameron said her tenants at 205 Pretoria Road received a letter informing them of the project,about a week before the work started.
Clr Bill Rundle (Ward 19 and shadow MMC for Roads and Transport in Ekurhuleni) told the City Times an estimated R11-m budget was allocated to the Pretoria Road project and voiced his satisfaction with the amount.
Kriek said traffic would be diverted to Honiball and Hartshorne streets to accommodate motorists.
“We also want to repair Pretoria Road between Robinson Street and Snake Road, which we’re hoping to finish this financial year,” he added.
Kriek said the current road works in Pretoria Road are expected to be finished in November.
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