Broadening of Prospect Hall a possibility

DURBAN North resident, Rozanne Armstrong, has hailed a public meeting addressing concerns over the congestion and ‘near accidents’ on the corner of Pembroke and Prospect Hall roads as positive. The meeting, held last Wednesday, saw members of the eThekwini Municipality Traffic Authority, the education department as well as concerned residents and parents voicing their concerns and looking for possible solutions to the lack of a drop-off zone at Durban North College (DNC).

“Many parents have had to park on the verges, which angered residents of Pembroke Road who have got a raw deal. Their verges are completely ruined and the traffic is hectic in the morning. Driveways and turning circles are used as parking bays.

“Despite the poor turn-out from the parents of the school, I think the meeting was positive. I’m glad for the input from both the education department and the municipality, who gave us a better overview of their mandate and sharing their knowledge. Having a safe drop zone is not a luxury, it is a necessity.”

Armstrong reiterated the safety of school children was paramount.

Among the proposed solutions was the widening of the Prospect Hall Road to accommodate more cars, but eThekwini Transport Authority’s (ETA) Carlos Esteves also warned it could lead to more speeding and further problems.

“I could drop 40 other schools into this scenario all with similar problems. The other issue of creating more space is that more space will be occupied. I cannot make promises that the city can resolve this problem but we need to look at other options. We are hoping to work with the school on finding a way forward,” Esteves said.

Claude du Plessis, the department of education district manager, acknowledged the safety of children as being paramount, but said the department could not get involved in the

“We are responsible for the welfare and safety of every child at school but unfortunately we cannot make any decisions as to Durban North College’s policy. We are ultimately involved with the curriculum and matters inside the school and we are not involved with infrastructure outside the school,” he said.

Some residents from Milldene Park Retirement Village also suggested the use of a pointsman or woman which may help alleviate traffic congestion. Some suggested using matric pupils from the school to direct traffic.

Principal of DNC, Maryna Hobel, said although school pupils were not allowed to act as pointsmen or women according to the law, they would look into the possibility.