Glenhills excavation infuriates business owners

GLENHILLS business owners are furious with what they have called ‘a major health risk’ emanating from excavations in the area. Poor health, dusty equipment and workshops and rocks on the road are just a handful of complaints Northglen News received regarding the excavation in Glen Hills. 

Corobrik is currently doing excavation work at the site bought by JT Ross recently. Local councillor, Heinz de Boer, said before JT Ross starts with its development of the property, Corobrik is exercising its mining rights on the property.

Tommy White, one of the Glenhills business owners, runs an auto repair shop in Columbine Place and said he’s had just about enough with the excavation in Old North Coast Road. 

Another business owner, Paul Hamblin, said: “The trucks on the road are continuous and cause problems. Sand, stone and dirt are always falling off the trucks. It causes a ripple effect of damage on the roads. The roads are taking a hammering which we use every day.”

White concurred with Hamblin, adding that they were aware the roads will be repaired after the excavation, but questioned ‘at what cost’.

He said when the wind picks up, clouds of dust descend on the many businesses and warehouses in the area and said not only is it an inconvenience, but also a health risk to all who work in the area. 

“We try to keep our businesses clean, but it’s nearly impossible. They spray water over the area every now and then, but that doesn’t help much. As soon as the dust and sand on the road dry, another cloud of dust is formed,” White added. 

Vish Bhagwandeen, who owns a signage business in Columbine Place, said: “We are a signage company. Printing, laminating and applying vinyl can no longer be done successfully at our factory due to the increase of the dust in the air. Our materials are being contaminated by the dust.”

He also raised concerns over the speed at which the trucks travel down the site’s ‘driveway’ and said it could be potentially dangerous for the businesses below street level: “This could be fatal to the factory on the other side of the road if any truck should fail to make that turn with its load.” 

“The fact that they are continually stopping traffic and causing traffic jams to allow for the trucks to move in and out of the land is another issue,” Hamblin added, saying it is an even bigger problem when they stop traffic during peak hours. 

Another business owner, John White, said his biggest concern was a possible mud slide during heavy rains. “We have constant complaints from our customers and especially our staff who are insisting on wearing masks daily. The trucks are also moving around at a ridiculous speed, especially at the intersection of Sneezewood. Also, the road and pavement is damaged with huge oil spillages, with a huge risk of accidents, especially for those of us who are using this road daily,” John said. 

Grant Smith from JT Ross, who owns the property, said: “While we own the land, Corobrik have mining rights over it and are currently mining shale deposits in line with this agreement. We respect the principle of being a good neighbour and will request of them that the dust, rubble and other nuisance matters are adequately adhered to in terms of their sub contractor agreement.”

Corobrik did not comment.

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