The Ekurhuleni metro has taken measures to resolve the mess made by its roads department in Delmore Gardens.
The department illegally constructed a dirt road connecting Delmore Gardens and Driefontein informal settlement, causing tension between the neighbouring communities.
According to metro spokesperson Themba Gadebe, they will temporarily restrict vehicles from using the newly constructed stretch of road while plans are underway to open another road for the community.
“During the road construction, pedestrians and motorists are encouraged to be cautious to ensure their safety during the building process,” said Gadebe.
The metro, however, remains unclear about who authorised the construction of the road and whether the right procedure was followed.
Residents of Driefontein told the Advertiser that the kilometre-long stretch of road means a lot to them because, for years, they have been using unsafe pathways to get to the Delmore Gardens area where they normally do shopping and get transport to go to work and transport for schoolchildren.
On the other hand, furious residents of Delmore Gardens wanted the metro to close the dirt road, which they said has a negative impact on their properties and residents’ safety.
They said the increased number of people walking past their driveways increased exposure to robberies and hijackings and that they were forced to endure the choking clouds of dust that cars stirred up. -@MthuphaFanie
READ STORY: Drama as new “road” causes a rift between communities
