Pavements left in a mess in Glenwood

GLENWOOD residents are fed up after living with a trench on their door steps for months on end. Maze Road resident, Beverley Ford said the trench has been left for three months on the pavement outside her home, making it difficult for her to access her property.

“We have battled to drive into our property. I have messed my tyres up on my car. We struggle to come in and out. It makes you so anxious at night. Every time there is heavy rain you are just so worried that the whole pavement will wash away and you won’t be able to access your property,” said Ford.

Rains have washed away the sand laid in the trench as a temporary fix, explained Ford.

Also read: Glenwood fibre goes live as more than 60 residents sign up

“There has been superficial fixing with laying sand. At this time of year, we are going to have heavy rains. The rain just washes the sand away and we are back to square one with a big trench exposed. They have left tar broken for months without fixing it. When the contractors are here they just tell us it’s not their job. We don’t know if we need to contact the fibre company or the electricity department. There’s been no communication whatsoever as to who is in charge of the project,” she said.

Ford also raised concerns about the safety of pedestrians walking along the pavement.

Commenting on the issue, spokesperson for the eThekwini Municipality, Msawakhe Mayisela said: “Fibre is installed by private companies but before they start installation, they obtain authorization/clearance from eThekwini Municipality. They submit all required approval forms to the relevant eThekwini Departments and other respective service providers. Our Roads and Stormwater Maintenance Department has dedicated a Clerk of Works who monitors these contractors and ensures compliance out on site. They are the first point of contact in the event of any damages or non-compliance. They are also entitled to stop work in case of major transgression. We urge residents who would like to report or find out more information about the fibre installations in the area to call Roads and Stormwater Maintenance on 031 322 7241.”

Also read: Dangerous pavements plague Berea following fibre installation

One of the companies involved is Lightstruck, a fibre supplier. Spokesperson for the company, Lynette Read from said the pavement will be reinstated as part of the contract.

“It’s possible we were told not to reinstate the pavement until both Ligtstruck and Metrofibre has completed their installation. The pavement is then reinstated in one go. Council tells us to wait until everyone is finished and it makes sense. Both contractors must be finished and then the pavement will be reinstated. It’s part of the contract that it will be done. By doing it this way, the pavement will be solid with no patchwork. Lightstruck’s fibre is live as of Wednesday,” she added.

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