Councillor questions MEC’s proposals

TEN accidents were reported to have occurred on Field’s Hill in one week, and Ward 10 councillor, Rick Crouch, continues to question the proposals made by the MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Willies Mchunu.

Fortunately, there were no fatalities during the accidents which happened last week on different parts of the infamous road. It has been almost 18 months since the Fields Hill accident that claimed the lives of 24 people, and 13 months since the MEC tabled his report before the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature.

According to Crouch, the MEC promised a number of short-term and long-term solutions for the problems on Fields Hill. Crouch provided a list of some of the short-term proposals, which included that the existing carrying capacity of trucks be reduced from 24 tons to 16 tons. The 16-ton trucks will also be restricted from using Fields Hill from 6am to 9am on the eastbound and westbound carriageways.

Crouch further added that the MEC has since backtracked on this, saying that there would be no reduction in the weight limit and only trucks exceeding 16 tons would face the time restrictions. ‘Heavies’ will be required to stop at the top of Field’s Hill and engage the lowest gear. This compulsory stop will now be electronically monitored.

The presence of law enforcement on Field’s Hill would also be increased. Some of the long-term proposals included the construction of an extra lane on the eastbound carriageway, the installation of concrete barriers along the entire route, improved ramps and intersections and the construction of an arrestor bed for run-away trucks.

“Looking at all the promises, you can clearly see that the only thing that has been implemented since the accident on 6 September, 2013 is that new signage has been erected on Fields Hill in both directions. Absolutely nothing else has been done, and considering that there have been further deadly accidents on Fields Hill involving trucks this is appalling,” said Crouch.

Attempts to get comment from the MEC’s office proved unsuccessful at the time of going to print.