Residents of Plein Street in Elsburg are concerned about children’s safety as motorists are speeding and ignoring the stop signs.

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GCN has in recent weeks reported on several residents raising concerns about motorists who speed near schools, including Sunnyridge Primary School.

According to Ricardo Lewies they have been trying to solve the speeding problem for almost four years.

“We have been trying to get assistance on this issue from EMPD and with no luck for the past four years. We have had to be vigilant in the mornings for the children and the afternoon just to keep an eye in case anything bad happens,” said Lewies.

He said motorists don’t even care that there is a daycare centre on the street.

“We have parents dropping off children and parking on the side of the road – we are concerned about their safety. We need speed humps or anything that will slow down the motorists,” said Lewies.

EMPD spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Kelebogile Thepa said if residents need to apply for traffic-calming measures, they need to communicate with the ward councillor.

“Residents need to inform the ward councillor about the need for a speed hump in that particular street.

“They must submit 10 signatures with reasons why they need speed humps. The councillor will submit the request on their behalf with the motivations,” said Thepa.

If the residents feel the councillor is not delivering they can submit the request themselves.

“They will need to go to the customer care office in Germiston and request to speak to road engineers and state their reasons for the request,” said Thepa.

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She said after submission, the engineers and city planners will visit the area to determine if it qualifies for speed calming measures.

“Several factors are considered before approval is granted. It includes the type of street and width. They also look at how busy it is, and how many cars pass through there on a day.

“They also consider whether there is a business that attracts a lot of people and they speak to residents in the area,” said Thepa.

She urged residents, not to take matters into their own hands to control traffic if they are not trained.

“An ordinary resident cannot volunteer to control traffic without proper training because this may pose a risk,” said Thepa.

Report speeding to 086 054 300.