Narrow pavement broadened

Pedestrians in Ferndale are often forced to walk in the road as sidewalks are too narrow.

One of the sidewalks in question is t on the corner of Republic Road and Main Avenue. The sidewalk was dug up by the Randburg Tower Hotel and rocks were cemented in to add to the upmarket look of the hotel. This narrowed the sidewalk to 40cm and pedestrians had to walk in the busy road.

According to the Johannesburg by-laws a pavement must be at least 1.5 meters wide. Ward 102 councillor David Potter has been in contact with the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) and the management of the hotel since July regarding the sidewalk.

JRA official Esther Schmidt said, “According to the City’s metropolitan municipality public road and miscellaneous by-laws, no person may deposit or cause to be deposited or leave or cause to be left any sand, stone, earth, bricks, timber, lime, cement or other building or excavated material of whatever nature on any portion of any road reserve unless it is deposited within an enclosure in respect of which the prior written permission of the council has been obtained.”

Ward 102 committee member Cáro Naudé said, “Pavements are extremely important in suburban areas and it’s good to beautify your sidewalk, but not if it affects the safety of pedestrians. We would love it if property owners can do something that looks like a pavement to get pedestrians, especially the children, off the roads. Mothers walking with prams and children walking from school are forced to contend with vehicles in our suburb which is increasingly becoming more commercial.”

After months of negotiations, management at the hotel decided to extend the width of the pavement to the proposed 1.5 meter width. Potter said “I want to commend the hotel management for the new pavement outside their premises, not only does it look great but it adds value to the suburb and the safety of the pedestrians.”

Details: Ward 102 councillor David Potter 082-885-9688.