This week’s question was:
Can I alter the pavement in front of my house any way I want, or do I need permission from the City for certain alterations?
Ward 117 councillor Tim Truluck, answered:
Technically the sidewalk on either side of the roadway to the building line of the houses belongs to the City of Johannesburg and is managed by the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA).
However, the City has abrogated its responsibility toward the maintenance of the sidewalks for many years and so residents have taken it upon themselves to look after the sidewalk outside their property.
The problem is that they often forget that sidewalks usually have a footpath so that pedestrians can walk on them and that there are services located underground. Services such as water, electricity, gas, sewers and fibre.
The sidewalk can be dug up at any time to repair, replace and install these services.
My advice is to take a realistic look at your sidewalk. Keep or replace a 1m wide footpath made of tar of brick paving. And ensure that any beautification can be replaced easily if the sidewalk needs to be dug up. Also, keep it water-wise and simple to maintain.
Do you have a question for a ward councillor?
Councillor’s Corner is a platform for you, our readers, to voice your concerns or questions for ward councillors to respond to.
Different, willing, ward councillors will respond to a question each week.
E-mail your burning question to aimeed@caxton.co.za and let’s get the ball rolling.
