Overgrown plot on Westway Road causes concern

DOUGLASDALE – Residents are starting to take matters into their own hands and cutting the grass themselves as the overgrowth remains a concern.

March 12, 2020

Khomotso Makgabutlane 2 minutes read

Douglasdale resident, Erica Wolter stands on the pavement on Westway Road with overgrown and uncut grass. INSET: Rusted locks and chains close off a bigger area with overgrown grass. Photos: Khomotso Makgabutlane

The uncut grass along Westway Road has been an issue for years according to a Douglasdale resident.

On the corner of Westway Road and Alexander Avenue, a piece of land which has been fenced off and left unattended has been the source of many issues for the local community, especially since the grass has not been cut in a long time.

Tthe sealed off area on Westway Road and Alexander Avenue in Douglasdale. *Photo: Khomotso Makgabutlane*

Erica Wolter, who lives along Westway Road, said that although she has been in contact with the ward councillor and municipal officials to enquire about the maintenance in the area, she has had little success. Wolter has been raising concerns about the grass with the City of Johannesburg since 2018.

“We have been sent from pillar to post in regards to this, and this is not a good look for our area as we want the area to look neat. It also poses a question to the safety,” she said.

With the corner being fenced off and closed with a rusted lock and chain, the plants growing outside the area are still a concern to Wolter. At the gate, there is a gap with enough space for a person to pass through, and is also littered with wires. Houses along the street maintain their grass patches outside their gates, but a clear juxtaposition can be seen with the well-kept grass outside houses and the overgrown grass.

“We as the community have had to take matters into our own hands and get people who help with our gardens to do a bit more work by the overgrown areas as much as they can. It is not enough and more needs to be done.”

Erica Wolter, a Douglasdale resident has been in constant communication with ward councillors and committee members for months in order to get the grass on Westway Road and Alexander Avenue cut. *Photo: Khomotso Makgabutlane*

Ward 115 councillor Matome Mafokwane said the region in which the corner falls under is a smaller zone in the city but it will be tended to as he has received word of the issue. “Usually when it comes to cutting the grass in the city, main roads get cut first. Then they go to the industrial areas. A plan will be made to get into that area in Douglasdale.”

The rusted lock and chain closes off a bigger area with overgrown grass. *Photo: Khomotso Makgabutlane*

Jenny Moodley, the spokesperson for Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo, said that the grass cutting would be the responsibility of the Johannesburg Road Agency (JRA). However, JRA spokesperson Mosa Makhalima said, “This function will be centralised at City Parks. For now, the communication is still [going on] between the two entities.”

For now, it is still unknown when the grass will be tended to.

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