Indigenous plants to replace cut down trees on Westville M13 verge
The fallen trees will be replaced by a fence and lovely indigenous plants. Plants will include the Kei apple, aloes, indigenous grass and the Carissa.
A COLLECTIVE decision made by a group of Westville businesses to cut down trees along the M13, to minimise criminal activity and curb jay-walking, will result in the verge getting a beautiful upgrade.
The fallen trees will be replaced by a fence and lovely indigenous plants. Plants will include the Kei apple, aloes, indigenous grass and the Carissa.
According to Mike Koberstein from Toyota Westville, there have been a number of remote-jamming and car thefts in the business park and recently a pedestrian was knocked by a vehicle while crossing the M13.
“The tree-cutting was approved by the eThekwini Municipality Parks department in May,” he said.
Jean Senogles of Westville Conservancy said she has been receiving calls from residents about the felling of trees, many implying that there might be foul play as some believe they were cut in the middle of the night without the municipality’s permission.
Also read: Superb support for the Jes Foord Foundation’s Handbag Project
“The trees were not removed at odd hours of the night and the right procedures were followed and we are happy this initiative has opened room for indigenous plants to be planted on the verge,” she said.
Ivor Daniel from Keep Westville Beautiful highlighted that this initiative, that costs about R300 000, wouldn’t have been possible without the investments made by the Westville businesses involved.
“This new verge will improve the appearance of the M13, the environment and will make that area safer,” he said.
All work done on the verge will be approved by the Parks Department.
“This is a pilot initiative by Keep Westville Beautiful and we hope that it will encourage more local businesses to invest in the environment,” he added.
Do you want to receive alerts regarding this and other Highway community news via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname (ONLY) to 060 532 5409.
You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Highway Mail WhatsApp number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts.
