The collapsed pavement in Surrey Avenue between Bond and Dover streets in Ferndale will be fixed soon, according to the Joburg Roads Agency (JRA).
The pavement portion outside the Nu-Hold Group’s office has been eroding since February last year.
Dirk Botha from Krisp Properties Commercial complained that the situation was only getting worse without any assistance from authorities.
“The whole storm-water pipe will collapse soon. Maybe they will fix it when someone is hurt or dies,” complained Botha.
He explained that from the start nothing was done, and his clients were complaining that he was not doing anything to solve the problem.
“The Joburg Roads Agency came here and did the inspection but nothing was done. They told us they have appointed the contractor,” said Botha.
He said the electrical wires, sewer pipe and water pipe were inside the eroded hole. “If someone’s vehicle falls inside it will be a complete disaster and this hole is eroding towards our gate entrance.”
One of the company employees Koos Miller indicated that they were paying rates and taxes but the authorities were failing to solve their situation. “We reported this problem a long time ago, before it even got worse but nothing was done,” explained Miller.
JRA marketing and communications officer Bertha Peters-Scheepers indicated that the contractor was appointed and the construction would probably commence this month.
She said the project design and specifications were completed and a contractor had been appointed as part of the JRA’s emergency storm-water budget.
“The contractor’s site will be established this week in order to carry out the required remedial interventions. Reconstruction of the estimated 200m of the 900mm [diameter] storm-water pipe will be undertaken at a project cost of R3.3 million,” said Peters-Scheepers.
She concluded that the JRA immediately investigated the matter when it was reported but construction couldn’t be started immediately. “Implementation could not be carried out before a thorough investigation and design work was completed which would ensure that the recurring storm-water problem is effectively resolved,” she said.
Details: JRA 011 298 5023.
Related stories:
GALLERY: Sidewalk woes for business owners
Road collapse imminent in Ferndale
