Umbilo pedestrian bridge a hanging hazard
A pedestrian bridge interlinking Umbilo canal and Southway Mall has been posing danger since the devastating floods in 2022, as it remains in the state of disrepair, despite its daily use.
RESIDENTS of Umbilo and surrounding areas, who use the pedestrian bridge linking Umbilo and Southway Mall are warned not to use it until restoration. The bridge poses danger especially to school children who cross over everyday.
Cllr Fran Kristopher of Ward 33, following her visit to the bridge said, “I’ve had a lot of queries regarding the safety and security of the pedestrian bridge, so I was recently accompanied members of Umbilo CPF, Homeland Security and and Ward 33 leadership. The original bridge was damaged in the 2022 floods, so a temporary bridge was built for residents to cross over.”
She indicated that the pedestrian bridge was not stable for use given that the side rails were either missing or loose due to theft. There is also a open hole in the middle of the bridge.
“The stepping plates are temporary hence they wear and tear, making the bridge unstable. The sand bags have been washed away by the recent rains and it’s not very steady, leaving very little support underneath,” she said.
Also read: Umbilo Park becomes dump site
Apart from the dilapidating infrastructure of the bridge, Kristopher said there had been countless robberies and violent incidents that had been reported at this pathway. “This was due to overgrown bush and not enough visibility and lighting.”
“Last week I had written to Parks and the Engineers Departments who initially were involved with this project and we await a report back.”
“The reason why I’m putting this out there is because the school children, residents and workers who use this bridge place their lives daily on the line of harm, and I am afraid if left any longer something drastic is going to happen. If the community can bear with me – I will update in a week’s time with a way forward to rectifying this Work In Progress / Abandoned Project together with direction and feedback from the relevant departments involved,” Kristopher concluded.
Community members who continue using the bridge are warned that they would do so solely at their own risk.
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