Massive Westmead hole poses danger

A PORTION of Surprise Road is on the verge of collapsing due to a massive hole in the middle of the road.

The hole which has been an issue for almost a year, is causing problems for motorists as it has reduced the traffic to one lane.

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Debbie Fleetwood who works in the area told the Highway Mail that the hole was caused by a water leak months ago.

“There is water running underneath it, motorists who are not familiar with this road always slam their brakes as there is no security tape around it. There are 18 wheeler truck drivers who use this road on daily basis, the road is getting worse,” said Fleetwood.

She said she feared a motorist could be seriously injured or even worse someone might lose their life.

“There are also pedestrians. What will happen if a driver swerves and hit them trying to avoid this hole?”

Unfinished work on roads

DA PR councillor, Marlaine Nair said when she drove around the Westmead area, she identified numerous sections of unfinished work even on Richmond Road which she said had been reported a while back.

She said the reason for this, is that when a repair is completed by the electricity or water department, the job is then passed on to the roads department to cover up the hole, remove the rubble and tidy up.

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“Unless the roads department has been given a formal requisition to do the job, they will not attend to it as it will entail using up a portion of their budget which they may not be reimbursed for,” explained Nair.

She said this delay between departments leaves residents with having to deal with the eyesore and inconvenience.

Responding to the issue of Surprise Road, Nair also pointed out that there is not even a security tape around this hole which is unsafe and unacceptable.

“I have raised this with the water department and will follow up,” she said.

Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting