Nic North-Coombes asks why there is no widening proposed (Northglen News, 16 August 2013).
In my opinion, he is correct. The road needs widening, before re-surfacing. Unfortunately, government departments operate in an unwieldy way.
Some years ago there must have been concerns that the road was breaking up. This would have triggered an inspection by a line manager. His/her superior would then have called for a report.
Once the decision was made to re-surface, then the financial guys would analyse the project and cost it.
Thereafter, tenders would be called for.
In the ensuing years, the Catholics would have elected a new Pope, Prince William would have got married and World Cup Soccer, Rugby and Cricket would each have had their four yearly events.
Regrettably the pending new developments at Sibaya, which will increase traffic in this area, have not been factored in either.
This brings us up to the present day. Re-surfacing of the M4 has just started. It appears that no one thought to speak to the toll road people, and suggest that more motorists would divert from the M4 to the N2. That the north turn from the M41 onto the N2 would clog up at commuter times.
It seems as if the various branches of transportation work independently, and they aren’t able to influence each other. Even to the extent of dovetailing their improvements. In a matter of a few square kilometres we now have the N2 widening, the M41/N2 interchange construction and the re-surfacing of the M4 north. Good for employment prospects, but hell for local motorists.
Geoff Pullan
Democratic Alliance councillor
