Appeals for speed calming measures in uMhlanga at a standstill

SEVERAL uMhlanga residents have accused the eThekwini Transport Authority of “blatantly ignoring” the need for traffic calming measures on both Forest and Marine Drives.

This comes two weeks after the Northglen News reported on the approval of speed bumps on Hilken Drive in upper uMhlanga.

The residents say it is only a matter of time before someone is killed due to the excessive speed some motorists drive on the residential roads.

“There are so many cyclists that use Marine Drive both in the early mornings and evenings, and because there are no sidewalks they are forced to cycle on the road. It is just a matter of time before someone is knocked,” said Marine Drive resident, Dudley Horn.

He said he has witnessed people driving as fast as 120 to 150 kilometres per hour.

“With the volume and speed of traffic on these roads it feels like we are living on a freeway,” he added.

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Forest Drive resident, Mario van Biljon said he was shocked to have come across three dead monkeys – all of which had been run over by a car – in recent weeks.

“We have tried everything to have some form of speed calming measures implemented. We have even offered to pay for the installation and maintenance of speed bumps. This would be of no cost to the municipality, but they keep shooting down every suggestion,” said Dave Tatz, a fellow Forest Drive resident. Another suggestion, he said, was to have three average speed cameras placed along the road, but this was also rejected.

“We also offered to fund this proposal. It was a major disappointment when it was turned down as it does not require any hard engineering and would not hinder any emergency services who use the roads, which is often used as an excuse,” he said.

Ward councillor, Heinz de Boer said the latter proposal had originally been favourably received by officials, but said he has had no feedback, despite numerous follow up queries on the implementation of the project.

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De Boer said he concurred that some form of speed calming measures were desperately needed on the two roads as they are often used as a thoroughfare between Glenashley and uMhlanga.

“Since speed bumps had been installed along Ridge Road most traffic had also been diverted to these roads. At the moment I don’t know what to do next. However, I will keep pressing the urgency of the matter at council meetings,” he added.

eThekwini Municipality’s Acting Head of Communications, Mandla Nsele responded by saying the roads were assessed “in terms of the City’s Traffic Calming Policy and was found not meet the requirements for the installation of traffic calming measures”.

“Speed humps are evaluated and installed in terms of a Council approved Traffic Calming Policy which looks at various factors including the number of accidents and the environment among others depending on the respective road class.”

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