Steep incline a challenge for heavies

TRUCKS jack-knifing on the steep incline of Mazisi Kunene (South Ridge) Road have become a major problem.

So said Janus Horn, chairman of Mayville SPS CPF Sector 1B in Manor Gardens. Mazisi Kunene road, Janus Horn, Mayville SPS CPF, Manor Gardens.

This comes after another truck lost its load trying to make its way up the incline after crossing over Tollgate Bridge last Monday.

Horn said he received a message via the Mayville CPF channel from a resident, Hylton Dettmer, to say the truck had jackknifed and lost its load of oranges which were being looted by bystanders.

“We mobilised a number of eThekwini Secure members and went through to secure the load. We got community members who had been taking the oranges to assist us in packing them back into crates and loading them onto pallets, and the broken boxes were given to bystanders in an effort to keep the peace. The men who helped were paid by the insurance company and were also rewarded with oranges,” he said.

Horn said a captain from Sydenham Police had arrived on scene to assist until Mayville SAPS officers could arrive.

Capt Moodley from Metro Police also assisted.

“The problem still remains that trucks are going up this hill as somehow their GPS still directs them this way to the harbour. We have had a number of trucks jackknife on the road over the past few months and it has become a major problem,” he said.

Horn said a resident living in Mazisi Kunene Road has had numerous meetings with the municipality regarding the issue, and was told signage would be erected from the Pavilion warning trucks not to take the offramp.

The resident, Bruce Soutar, said he had met with local authorities regarding the problem over a number of years but at the most recent meeting two weeks ago, had been assured by that a large sign would be erected to direct traffic straight through Durban at Tollgate Bridge, and a sign at the Pavilion would direct trucks to Edwin Swales, to give drivers a choice.

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“I was promised 15 years ago that traffic would be directed from Durban out to Umgeni Road and onto the N3, however nothing has happened. It is a nightmare. There is almost one truck a week that jack-knifes on this road from Tollgate Bridge, and every day a 28-wheeler gets stuck near my home on Masizi Kunene Road and has to be winched up. The trucks also destroy road infrastructure. There doesn’t seem to be an option for routes for heavy duty vehicles on GPS guidance, and this is taken as the shortest route to the harbour. There is not a single sign at Tollgate Bridge. I feel only a major accident is going to get the attention of authorities,” he said.

Speaking at a recent community meeting, Councillor Mmabatho Tembe said she approached the municipality regarding this issue, and the need to investigate the erection of signage to stop this from happening, however she hadn’t received a response to her query.

“I requested signage, but there has been no feedback as yet. EThekwini Transport Authority has however responded negatively to the restriction of trucks in the Hillier and Teignmouth Roads area, as they claim the roads serve as link roads. I will contact the department once again regarding South Ridge Road,” she said.

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