FIELD’S Hill has again come under the spotlight as soil erosion threatens to compromise the safety of thousands of motorists.
Concerned motorist, Jodi Pons, highlighted the issue with the Highway Mail after she noticed the deep erosion in two sections above Jameson Terrace.
“I noticed that the erosion has now reached the edge of the tar on the lower erosion point and, if left to progress, threatens to cause a collapse in the slow lane on Field’s Hill,” said Pons.
Worried further by the potential loss of life, Pons said, “Imagine what the closure of Field’s Hill will do to traffic flow if this portion of the road collapses. Even worse, if it collapses and a truck or car falls off the side of the hill? We cannot afford the potential loss of life if that were to happen. Surely prevention is better than cure and this should be dealt with now before our rainy season.”
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Ward 10 councillor, Tex Collins described the problems facing the infamous hill as as ‘stuff of legends’ and said, “Despite numerous requests for action to be taken, the KZN Department of Transport is either unable or unwilling to perform any form of corrective maintenance or rehabilitation work. Their lack of concern is stupefying and yet, on a weekly basis, there is an accident on Field’s Hill, the last resulting in the death of a motorist.”
The Highway Mail has received numerous Letters to the Editor referencing the badly damaged traffic barriers, missing cats’ eyes and land-slips on the upward lane.
“All will remember the horrific accident in 2013 that claimed the lives of more than 20 people. Despite the then Premier of KZN, Willies Mchunu, promising to upgrade Field’s Hill and put in place measures to ensure the safety of all road users, nothing has been done.
“Six years later, the state of Field’s Hill has deteriorated to become a seriously dangerous hazard. The province has not woken from the inertia that afflicts this department and actually do something positive,” said Collins.
The eThekwini Municipality’s Princess Nkabane said that such matters were brought to the attention of the Department (of Transport) at all times but could not comment further.
The Department of Transport did not reply to questions by the time of going to print.
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