IN July last year, the City approved a request for traffic calming signs on Longwoods Drive. This followed a number of requests and appeals from the community, as well as Ward 110 candidate councillor, Pete Graham. With three reported accidents in 2015, one of which involved a fatality, residents felt the road was dangerous, particularly along the upper end, at the sharp bend.
The residents’ desperation and concern over the situation was clearly evident by the chevron warning tape that they have wrapped around three trees at the site. Now tired of waiting, residents have taken matters into their own hands by making 10 chevron signs and ‘concealed driveways’. Emil Swanepoel, who is part of the Glenhills Ratepayers Association and CPF said numerous requests had gone unanswered.
“One of the residents who owns a signage company said he would help us by making about 10 chevron signs and ‘concealed driveway’ signs. We are still in the process of making them. Our concern is, and we’ve been warned that if we put up signs, the council may remove them, which is ludicrous. We’re trying to make the signs to the specifications of the City. Our requests for some sort of calming measures have gone unanswered. We initially made a request with the councillors and at the ratepayers meeting.
“The concerning thing is the speed at which people come around this bend. The neighbours whose driveway is situated right on the bend has had abuse hurled at them and flashing lights because they have to cautiously enter their driveway. The speed some of the people drive at is staggering, that’s why we need the signs. The council mooted the idea of speed humps and a roundabout because of the nature of the road, however, these signs would make a massive difference,” Swanepoel said.