Ashley residents’ pleas to repair road ignored
Fourth Avenue has turned into a 'stop and go' as the holes are huge in one lane.
THE trench that was dug in Fourth Avenue, Ashley to lay an electricity cable, is still uncovered over half a year after it was dug up. It causes a nightmare for motorists, especially in the mornings and afternoons.
What’s more, the road is also filled with potholes.
A resident, who spoke to the Highway Mail and wished to remain anonymous, said the eThekwini Electricity Department dug up the road in September 2021 so they could install a new electricity meter box for one of the neighbours’ new homes.
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“Since then, we have sent numerous complaints to the City, asking them to cover the trench, but with no success,” he said.
After numerous attempts, the homeowner tried to cover it with some concrete.
The resident, who has resided in the area for more than 25 years, said Fourth Avenue is one of the busiest roads in Ashley.
Some of the potholes in Fourth Avenue, Ashley.
“There is a school nearby, and some parents use this road to drop off and pick up their children after work. The trench is causing unbearable traffic as cars can only drive in the one lane – the road has suddenly turned into a ‘stop and go’ as the holes are huge in one lane. Just above the trench, there are huge potholes which we have also reported numerous times,” he said.
The resident also forwarded the WhatsApp messages and emails that he has sent to the City.
“This is just unacceptable – we have tried to follow the right procedures, and we are at our wits’ end. They need to tar this and cover these potholes. Who will pay for damages should there be an accident? Even the residents are having difficulties getting out of their driveways due to the traffic. It just causes an unnecessary inconvenience.”
eThekwini Municipality did not respond to our query by the time of going to print.
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