A SECTION of Kenville Road that collapsed in March this year has worsened in recent weeks.
Heavy rains, as well as heavy-duty vehicles accessing the residential road, have impacted the road surface with some residents fearing a total collapse.
When Northglen News last visited the section in October, the road had been reduced to one lane.
Now, both lanes have been affected with motorists driving on a makeshift road of rubble that has been compacted.
Anil Beekrum, chairperson for the Kenville and Sea Cow Lake Residents’ and Ratepayers’ Association, said the structural integrity of the road may impact the water pipe network and inconvenience residents accessing Kenville Road.
“Every time I come back to inspect this section, it has gotten worse. Prior to the latest collapse, motorists were able to drive on one side of the road. Now, both lanes are affected, and in order to drive past, residents are driving effectively on the shoulder of the road, which is compacted rubble – a makeshift road, in other words.
“In October, a burst water pipe weakened the road even more, and as a result, we, as residents, were left without water for close to five days. In the interim, the City had to install a rider-pipe (above ground) temporarily. I fear that the approaching festive season shutdown may leave us in the lurch in getting the road repaired in time. If any more of the road collapses, the City would be forced to close this road,” he said.
Beekrum said he conversely feared the road being closed with no action being taken.
“The residents know about projects and repairs that take years to complete. Kew Road, which is less than 800m away from this collapsed section, also collapsed and was only repaired after two years. The Kenville Road bridge took five years to complete. We cannot be facing another few years where access to lower Kenville Road is cut off. My fear is the road will be closed and no action will be taken, which would not be fair on the residents,” he said.
Beekrum added that stop signs on either side of the collapsed section of road needed to be erected.
“At the moment, it is impossible for two cars to pass each other. There needs to be a stop sign put on either side – coming from the Kenville Road bridge side and the Kew Road side – to alert motorists that they have to stop if a car is coming the other way. It has become that much more treacherous,” he said.
The spokesperson for the eThekwini Municipality Gugu Sisilana confirmed that the Roads Department is aware of the collapse, and they will repair the road and realign the water pipe network.
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