AFTER continuous concerns around traffic flow and residential safety over an overgrown tree on Mathews Meyiwa Road, the eThekwini Municipality have finally intervened.
Last week, Teressa Moriarty, a resident of Kirkwood Gardens housing complex, said safety concerns were heightened when a branch fell off the tree. Despite the recent trim, she worries that brittle branches will continue to fall, causing damage to the boundary wall and opening the complex up to crime and theft.
“I thought there had been a major accident outside because of the loud cracking sound. If a big branch like that fell on our wall it would have crushed the whole wall. We need the tree trimmed for security reasons. There is no light outside, all the street lights are out of order. We’ve already had three cars broken into in our complex recently. If the tree falls and breaks our wall, there’s a big part of our security gone,” she said.
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With a host of maintenance issues at the complex, Moriarty said they don’t need a broken wall to add to the list.
Another resident, Glenda Rose said the tree slows down traffic on the road.
“Last week, I saw a truck drive past and knock a branch, breaking it off. The previous week, I was in my car on the road and saw another truck veer into the oncoming lane to pass the tree because of the low hanging branches,” she said.
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The eThekwini Municipality was not available for comment, however, Moriarty confirmed the tree was trimmed this week after she called on Democratic Alliance PR councilor, Sharmaine Sewshanker to assist.
Sewshanker said there are several overgrown trees which pose a threat to residents and shoppers parking on Matthews Meyiwa Road. “Some of the branches are brittle and break in the wind. Another issue is that there is a caterpilla infestation in one of the trees. I contacted the City to request the trees be trimmed two weeks ago,” she said.
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