ICYMI: Roos Street taxis are cause for concern
FOURWAYS – The Johannesburg Roads Agency will put bollards along Roos Street where taxis park throughout the day, narrowing the road.
Taxis illegally parking along the pavement of Roos Street are still a cause of concern for residents around the Fourways area.
A main concern was a number of informal food vendors with their trucks along the busy road.
Ward 94 councillor, David Foley said he has received a number of complaints from residents near the street of food vendors, but they had been cleared since then.
Now with the taxis parking along the pavement, he said he has met with the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) to try and combat the problem. “The plan is for the JRA to put bollards along the street towards Macbeth Avenue. Complexes close by the street will also put bollards along their entrances. There has to be space for people to walk on the street,” he said.
Foley said safety is also a concern as there are many illegal taxi ranks in the Fourways area.
He made reference to a shooting that took place on the corner of Roos Street and Fourways Boulevard on 30 October which left one dead.
The motive behind the murder is still unknown, however, police suspect it is allegedly taxi violence. “I have been in contact with the chief superintendent of JMPD about the taxi ranks and how many illegal ranks there are. There is a lot of activity there, and there is an overspill. However, since the food vendors were moved off, it is a little bit better.”
Communications officer for the JRA, Mosa Makhalima said there is a plan to help combat taxis parking along the pavement.
“JRA will install between 50 to 80 bollards to prevent taxis from parking there. The delay was caused by the fact only one team was working,” she explained.
