Platina Street and Old Witkoppen bridges are falling down

Following the dramatic floods on 17 February after severe storms, it still seems as if the problem may

continue.

Ward 115 councillor Chris Santana visited some of the affected homes on 23 February, in Juweel Street, Jukskei Park.

The Platina Street bridge which was flooded and therefore nearly destroyed is still in disarray.

The bridge is still full of left-over debris from large trees and branches to shrubs and general rubbish.

Debris can be seen as far down as Robyn Park flowing down to the Old Witkoppen Bridge.

The other, possibly affected, surrounding suburbs are Johannesburg North, Douglasdale, Olivedale and Meadowhurst.

”This is of great concern, it flows into the Klein Jukskei River and yet nothing gets done,” says Santana.

When walking through Jukskei Park with Santana, it was evident that the banks of the Klein Jukskei are littered with overgrown bushes and fallen trees, including large heaps of rubbish.

The Old Witkoppen Bridge is far worse than anyone could imagine – it is blocked up to well over the brim with washed-up debris.

“What is truly worrying is that a main sewage pipe runs along the bridge. If it collapses due to its age and the massive blockage, the sewage pipe will come down with it,” commented Santana.

”I fear that if City Parks, Johannesburg Roads Agency and Joburg Water do not start cleaning up the bridges and the green belts, the Klein Jukskei and the Old Witkoppen Bridge will flood again,” added Santana.

Bertha Peter-Scheepers, spokesperson for JRA commented, ”We will attend to the issue and will call in our sister entities to ensure the water is flowing freely.”

Details: Chris Santana, csantana@ward115.co.za