Motorists travelling on Allen Street recently, would have noticed a new directional road sign board erected just before the Albert Wessels Drive and Allen intersection.
The Head of Communications at the municipality, Dr Dumisani Thabethe commented on the reasons for this new sign board.
“The purpose of the sign board is three-fold. Firstly it is to assist the vast number of tourists who travel through our town so that they can easily and safely manoeuvre to their respective destinations, as well as to access emergency services,” explains Dr Thabethe.
The second aspect that necessitated the board was the diversion from the N3 freeway, where road closures occur.
This sign board would serve as an aid to drivers who use Newcastle as a detour and aid them to obtain the necessary directions, to regain their alternate routes.
The third and last purpose of the board is to inform heavy motor vehicle drivers which roads to use.
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“This is to deter them from driving through the CBD which damages the paved intersections and cause avoidable traffic congestion,” continued Dr Thabethe. As a result, heavy motor vehicles are prohibited from using Allen Street.
Dr Thabethe said the construction of the paving on Allen Street was not conducive to accommodate large volumes of heavy motor vehicles.
“When such vehicles travel through the CBD, then by virtue of their length, they take up the space of between three to five light motor vehicles.
“This contributes to congestion and backlogs at intersections.”
Speaking of the budget allocated for the board, Dr Thabethe confirmed that the sign board was the second part of a competitive bidding process, the first being the board on Hardwick Street.
“The board on Hardwick Street has already yielded the desired effect.”
The Newcastle Advertiser asked residents of Newcastle what they thought and many pointed out the obvious spelling error which stuck out like a sore thumb.
The board reads: Heavy Motors Vehicles instead of Heavy Motor Vehicles.
Residents questioned how much more will be spent to rectify the error.
Dr Thabethe acknowledged the error and explained that the municipality had identified it, however, the sign needed to be erected first, before correcting the mistake.
A week later, the mistake had been rectified and the new sign board now welcomes visitors, with helpful directions and a corrected spelling, into our town.
ALSO READ: LETTER: A new sign board in Newcastle with an error
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