Padfield Park residents feel unsafe on their road

RESIDENTS in Doone Road, at Padfield Park in Pinetown, are concerned about their safety as they live with a hazard right at their doorsteps since the April floods. The road has been closed as it was left damaged after the floods. According to the residents, the road has been left unattended with no communication since April, and they had to put a danger tape up themselves to warn drivers.

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They said the damage to the sloped road poses a danger, not only to the residents but to their children and the drivers. The residents further claim that the damage has led to exposed sewage that leaves an unpleasant smell in the area.

Speaking to the Highway Mail, Ruan Vrey, who is a resident in Padfield Park, said he almost drove into the hole.

“I was driving on the sloped road when I had to hit the break fast because of the danger tape that is just before the hole on the road,” he said.

Another resident, Sean Repsold, said the damaged road has seen cars using his driveway make a U-turn when they are redirected by the closed road. “I always have to peep outside my window when I hear the sound of a car, only to remember that it’s the cars that are being redirected because of the hole. It’s also not pleasant to have people park on your driveway so they can go and have a look at the hole,” he said.

Lona Ngwenya’s house is located right next to the river. The river’s bridge runs through the damaged road, and her backyard has a landslide. Ngwenya said she always feels she’s stepping at the edge of her life whenever she has to step out of the house. “I have an infant child who will be walking around soon, so it will never feel safe for him to be outside the house. My six-year-old does not play outside, and this is not healthy for her as a growing child,” she said.

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Bernard Borsboom said he has sent countless emails, but he has gotten no response. “We have groups where we encourage people to send emails and make a noise about this. We hope that they will finally hear us and come to our rescue,” he said.

The residents said that the damage on the road has made their neighbourhood unsafe, and they are appealing for help from the municipality.

The eThekwini Municipality spokesperson, Mswakhe Mayisela, said that since the floods, the municipality’s initial response focused on re-opening blocked roads and restoring access to communities and properties that had no access.

“In the case of Doone Road, there was access to the properties via alternate roads. The Roads and Stormwater Maintenance Department has since backfilled the wash-away to allow access along Doone Rd, and final repairs will follow.”

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He said that there is no definite answer as to when all damaged infrastructure will be repaired as they are prioritising repairs where services like water, electricity and sanitisation are impacted. “Thereafter, road repairs will be prioritised in terms of the road categories, ie, the busier or high-order roads that carry the most traffic will be prioritised as funding and resources become available,” said Mayisela.

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