Speed humps to protect Bordeaux’s youth

Pupils at Bordeaux Primary School may no longer have to worry about being hit by a reckless driver while crossing Main Street.

The street has long been a site of fast and reckless driving, threatening the safety of children trying to cross it or when they are coming from school.

When a pupil was knocked down in February, it made media headlines (see previous article).

Thanks to the Bordeaux North Community Forum, two speed humps were recently constructed on the street.

The forum submitted a petition to the City of Johannesburg in 2011 for six humps on Main Street between Hilltop Street and Republic Road, but after three years of waiting it only received permission for two humps.

Furthermore, the forum had to pay for a private company to construct them.

The humps were finished on 2 December, and lie on the street, nearest corners St Andrews and Darnoc avenues.

“This is all about the safety of the children,” said the forum’s chairperson Shanaaz Bailey. “We have had very bad accidents on this road in the past.” She added that even though the humps will “most definitely” reduce the number of accidents on the street, more humps are needed, and the forum will submit another petition for at least two more humps and a boom next year.

Ward 102 councillor David Potter said that the humps were “long overdue”.

“The City was clearly waiting for an incident to take place before realising the urgency of the installation,” Potter said. Johannesburg Roads Agency spokesperson Bertha Peters-Scheepers commented, “The speed humps are in an excellent position and in accordance with [roads agency] specifications. We thank the association for their contribution to ensuring the safety of the school children in Bordeaux North.” Bordeaux Primary School Principal Helen Jones refused to comment on the matter.

Details: Bordeaux North Community Forum 082 393 2477, Ward 102 councillor David Potter david@oursuburb.co.za, Johannesburg Roads Agency 011 298 5001.