Westville M19 clean up ‘hits the road’
Volunteers split into three groups and 188 black bags were filled.
THE Westville North clean-up was a resounding success with a huge turnout of people tackling the M19 and surrounding areas on Saturday, February 26.
The large group armed with refuse bags, slashers, cane knives and other cleaning supplies picked up the litter and cut overgrown vegetation along the ramps to the M19.
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This was a joint venture between various organisations and residents.
A Westville resident, Jola Tennant said she and her husband uses the M19 almost daily and the overgrown vegetation sometimes makes it difficult to drive along it, especially at night.
“We were more than happy to get our hands dirty for our neighbourhood,” she said.
A Palmiet River Watch champion who was also part of the clean up, Lee D’Eathe said some individuals are under the impression that eThekwini Municipality is responsible for the management and maintenance of the M19, whereas as far as he knows, it is still the responsibility of the provincial roads/transport department.
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“Rotten wooden-posts results in dangerously dysfunctional guard rails and collapsed and unreadable road signage, encroachment of vegetation reducing road width and visibility. The unkempt verges and center-island are an indication of neglect, neglect that attracts illegal dumping and other undesirable activities. There doesn’t seem to adequate enforcement, management or maintenance of the M19.
“Hopefully we will see a comprehensive follow-up plan so that all the effort that was put in today is not wasted,” said the eco-warrior.
Ward 18 councillor, Melanie Brauteseth also joined in the clean-up and said she was happy to see people caring for their community.
