Roads a nightmare

Roads in our area are currently in the worst state they have been in for years.
Many residents are driving more since the school holiday started on Friday, but most of the roads in our area are in such bad condition that it is hazardous to use them, especially at night.
Besides this, the part of the R500 between Carletonville and the N14 is still in a horrendous state.
This road has been full of potholes for some time but has deteriorated considerably since contractors started working on it this year. They worsened the situation by removing squares of tar around the potholes and not returning to fix these patches.
This is on the part of the road closest to Carletonville. As a result, many motorists choose to drive on the side of the road in these areas.
The worst road in the area, however, is the one that turns out of the abovementioned part of the R500 toward Ventersdorp.
This stretch, mostly used by farmers, is an alternative route if there are problems with the N14. It has so many potholes that it has all but disintegrated in places.
Meanwhile, the road between Welverdiend and the N14 is also so full of dangerous potholes that it should be avoided at night if possible.
The condition of the section of this road over the Wonderfonteinspruit is deteriorating even further due to the excess water damming up next to the bridge.
Motorists using the roads through Welverdiend to Potchefstroom and Ventersdorp must also watch out for dangerous potholes in Welverdiend.
Toward the eastern part of Carletonville, the Bank road, which many people use to get to Randfontein and the rest of the West Rand, also has many deep and dangerous potholes, especially in the area between Carletonville and Blybank.
Some of the potholes closer to Carletonville have been filled, though.
Although the part of the R501 east of Carletonville, commonly known as the P111, is useable, to the west of Carletonville, past Doornfontein and eventually to Potchefstroom, is still partially closed due to a sinkhole.
Although the South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) initially said this road would be fixed last year, and then during their current financial year, they did not answer questions about a possible timeline for the repair this week.
Meanwhile, the Station road that turns out of the R501 near the Fochville railway station and joins the road between Vereeniging and the N12 is also appalling.
The farmers who use it have often suggested that the Gauteng Roads Department scrape an alternative gravel road next to it instead.
Ms Bulelwa Thomas, Krugersdorp’s regional manager of the Gauteng Roads Department, did not indicate a timeline when the Herald enquired about the repairs.