Prestondale development continues to raise ire of residents

UMHLANGA ward councillor, Heinz de Boer said weight restriction signs will soon be placed on Chestnut Crescent in an effort to stop further damage to the road. This after he said the City and residents were at odds with a Prestondale development. The development, which is under construction, is the extension of Reddam House Umhlanga’s high school wing. The company involved in the multi-million Rand development, Century, uses an entrance on Chestnut Crescent, a cul-de-sac.

Earlier this year, the City’s legal department erected concrete barriers across the entrance to the site which were then allegedly moved by the company carrying out the construction. According to De Boer, the signs will soon be installed on the road.

Several residents have also contacted Northglen News expressing their concern that the road was damaged by construction vehicles.

“The ongoing issue is the heavy trucks which are accessing the construction site. The road has been damaged in many places and residents’ verges are also impacted. The trucks using this road leave in a shocking state with the mud and sand littered all over the asphalt. This road wasn’t designed to take this weight and that’s why the City will be installing signs on the road. Enforcement is the issue. Sadly I don’t think the developers have shown the respect to the residents,” he said.

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However, Michael Bishop, of Century, managing the build site said residents concerns were taken into account.

“We have been in contact with the elected councillor and asked for the details of the residents with concerns/questions so we can address these but we have not received these as yet. We have a weekly routine to wash and clean the roads, we work in line with the council working hours and have moved containers that a resident felt were a security risk.

“We are making every effort to ensure that the construction is managed as quickly and effectively as possible so as to cause as little inconvenience as possible, while ensuring the safety and security of the children on campus. The councillor has been provided contact details for the project manager and we respond when concerns are raised. We are in regular contact.

When asked how the weight restriction signs would affect construction vehicles, Bishop replied: “We will investigate further to ensure due process is followed on all sides. At this stage we have had no communication from the city,” he said.

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