Ward 56 Councillor Michael Crichton gives comment

“I WOULD firstly like to state I fully understand the concerns and frustrations the Glenanda North Residents Association (GNRA) has,” says Ward 56 Councillor Michael Crichton.

“It is unfortunate that the City’s new administration inherited R170-billion infrastructure backlog which has made it difficult to deliver services, even though we try to do the best with the limited resources we have. It is for this reason the executive mayor Herman Mashaba introduced the concept of A Re Sebetseng clean-up’s where residents and the private sector get actively involved with helping to keep the city clean.

“On this note I would like to thank the GNRA, and all the residents that took part in the weekend’s clean-up. Grass cutting has been quite problematic as there has also been confusion as to whether the mandate lies with City Parks or the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA). This is something I have raised on many platforms such as the Councillor Forum meetings, with the depots, and with the relevant Members of the Mayoral Committee. We are now finally getting much-needed clarity with the JRA giving City Parks funds to cut the grass, and we should see the grass getting cut in Glenanda North this week,” said Crichton.

He went on to add, “I fully agree the suburb has a lot of traffic with many motorists speeding, especially along Amanda Avenue. In light of this JRA has done studies of the traffic in the area. Unfortunately, they have concluded Amanda Avenue is ineligible for speed humps due to the classing of the road. What they have done is implemented a four way stop at the intersection of Amanda and Beryl avenues. A speed hump has been implemented in Beryl Avenue and new lines have been painted along that road. The walls that were erected illegally at the intersection of Beryl Avenue and Oakdene Parks Drive was removed so there is no longer a sight problem for the motorists. In addition to the traffic calming measures implemented by the JRA, the JMPD has also had a speed trap along Amanda Avenue. I have requested them to have more speed traps and on a more frequent basis. I have also written to City of Joburg MMC of Public Safety, Michael Sun, requesting they look into implementing a permanent speed camera along Amanda Avenue.

Further complaints

“I was made aware of a dog carcass that has been lying along Amanda Avenue and I did request Pikitup to remove it. It has now been brought to my attention that this was not done. I would like to appeal to residents that in an instance like that they send me a follow-up message so that I can follow up with the relevant department and if necessary, escalate the matter to a higher authority.”

“In terms of the storm water drain covers that are missing I will request the Urban Inspector to log all of them and to then send me the reference numbers so that I can escalate them.

“I do agree I am very active in Rosettenville, as there are many social ills in that suburb such as drugs, prostitution, human trafficking and illegal businesses. Over and above this they are also affected by the basic service delivery issues such as grass cutting, litter in the streets, potholes in the roads and streetlights that don’t work. However, I would like to assure the GNRA that I do also care about their and every other area that falls within my ward. On April 27 I will be having my A Re Sebetseng clean-up in Glenanda North. I understand this coincides with phase two of the GNRA’s clean-up and I hope that we can join forces on the day as I do believe we all have the best interests of the residents at heart,” said Crichton.

Read: 

Glenanda North Residents Association wants answers from Crichton

Amanda Avenue residents complain about speeding motorists

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