Trucks parking in residential areas is a problem that some residents have had to live with for months; some even years.
There are a number of concerns that residents raise when speaking about the heavies parking for prolonged periods on sidewalks in the suburbs.
In Brickhill and Rolland Hellet roads, the trucks are also repaired on the roadside. The biggest problem with this is that the oil and some used parts are left behind. One resident told the Estcourt News that the trucks parking on the roadside has also led to crime.
Speaking on condition of anonymity due to fear of being victimised, the resident said that items like cutlery were stolen from a church in Brickhill Road last year.
She explained that the parked truck obscures the view of the church and made it idyllic for opportunistic thieves to gain entry.
Other concerns include damage to the road surface in the residential area, the excessive noise when the trucks start up, some times during the early morning hours and more essentially that this practice was against the town’s by-laws.
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The Estcourt News sent questions to Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality’s Communication Department in October last year.
After several reminders, it was a relief when a response was received last week where Municipal Manager Patrick Mkhize explains the by-laws and confirms action taken by the municipality.
According to the by-laws any vehicle that is parked in a place where the stopping of a vehicle is prohibited or the class of this vehicle may not park in this area may be removed at the discretion of a traffic officer.
If the vehicle is likely to cause danger or an obstruction to other traffic, it also may be removed to a safer place.
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“The municipality’s traffic department did call the owner of the trucks, they promised to remove the trucks by last Tuesday. If not, the traffic department will enforce the law,” said Mr Mkhize.
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