Ashley Road residents call for road repairs
The residents said the road has become a danger to both pedestrians and motorists.
AFTER months of inaction by the eThekwini Municipality, Ashley Road residents are frustrated their concerns about the potential danger the unrepaired road has created for pedestrians and motorists. Added to this safety concern, they worry the storm water drains will be blocked with mud should their verges not be rejuvenated ahead of the rainy season.
One resident, Stanley Ndlovu said he would often see vehicles veer into his driveway, or into the oncoming traffic lane, to avoid the massive sections of road that are untarred.
“When it does rain, the water forms pools and lies stagnant on the side of our driveway. Some drivers don’t realise until its too late and drive into these holes. Thankfully there have been no accidents,” he said.
The verges along the road were dug up for a pipe installation. Sheddon Filday, another concerned resident, said his driveway was left unrepaired for months and this was only rectified after the contractor was notified that the Highway Mail would be on site.
“We are so frustrated and it has been such a long battle. Every stage of this construction has been a battle. There have been lots of promises,” said a frustrated Filday.
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Felicity Schroder, who has been a resident in the area for 32 years, noted the verges along the entire section of Ashley Road were meant to be rejuvenated once the pipes were installed.
“They placed sandbags on our driveway to ensure the mud would not come through onto their property and block the drains in our yard,” said Schroder.
After many requests, the curbstones to their driveway were replaced but these were soon crushed by the construction vehicles on site. They were then replaced again.
“Sandbags were also placed along sections of the storm water drains, but mud has been flowing into them for months. I am absolutely dreading the rainy season,” she said.
Her husband and son attempted to restore the verge to minimise the flow of mud into the property.
“I have also requested for them to put sidewalks along this stretch of road as there are numerous learners who walk along here to get to school. With the holes in the road, the mud from the dug up verges and the construction vehicles, it is just so dangerous!”
The eThekwini Municipality failed to respond by the time of going to print.
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