Potholes are getting out of hand
On Monday afternoon, an anonymous Barbertonian positioned a plant in one of the potholes on Sheba Road. Although an action such as this posed a threat to motorists of whom some had to swerve sharply into the direction of oncoming traffic, one could clearly see that this specific road user was at his wits' end with the situation.
BARBERTON – During the past couple of weeks, Barberton Times has received an ever-increasing number of letters, phone calls and people visiting its office, complaining about the potholes on our roads.
These have become a major source of frustration and are increasing at an alarming rate, not only in town, but also in Emjindini and the surrounding industrial area.
The roads are becoming marred and it poses the possibility of damage to vehicles and endangers the lives of road users.
With the heavy rain we’ve recently had, the problem has become one that cannot go unnoticed any longer, and it is imperative that the municipality of Umjindi address this problem without delay.
“I counted 18 potholes starting from the main entrance of Barberton to the stop street in Emjindini. There will be many visitors this festive season. Imagine what the tourists will think! Their first impression is the artistic entrance, until they hit the first pothole. As we clearly have incompetent municipal workers who don’t have a clue about patching roads with tar, can’t they just fill them up with rocks and crush? Sand is not going to work,” said a clearly upset reader, Christine Robinson.
DA councillor Philip Minnaar said, “This is an issue that will have to be looked at very seriously as well as the procurement and supply-chain procedures. It is alarming that there is no or minimal material in stock.
“Another issue, is the fact that whenever supplies are requested, the duration from order to delivery takes up to three months in some cases”.
He explained that in the interim, these holes became bigger and more dangerous with each passing day and by the time the material was delivered, the quantity needed to cover these holes had increased considerably. “We understand the frustration of the public, but ask that the Barbertonians shouldn’t project their anger onto the officials as their hands are tied. In a desperate attempt to address the issue they fill the holes with whatever they have in stock to avoid further damage to road users’ vehicles.”
On Monday afternoon, an anonymous Barbertonian positioned a plant in one of the potholes on Sheba Road.
Although an action such as this posed a threat to motorists of whom some had to swerve sharply into the direction of oncoming traffic, one could clearly see that this specific road user was at his wits’ end with the situation.
As another furious reader, who has no alternative but to travel daily on a road ridden with potholes, stated, “I am fed up as I have had damage to my vehicle’s tyres twice now and I’m at the point where taking legal action against whoever is responsible, seems to be my only option.”
“The DA appeals to Umjindi Municipality to address this as a matter of urgency,”
said Minnaar.
