Joburg Road Agency spokesperson Kelebogile Mafa confirmed that they are aware of a large developing hole but Joburg Water needs to do pipe diversion work before the road can be repaired.
During pick-up hours, the hole in the middle of the road at the intersection of George (Maid Marion) and Kent Avenue in Ferndale is causing heavy traffic.
Members of the Ferndale Ridge Residents Group raised safety concerns and the risks posed to motorists and pedestrians especially about the larger sinkhole as it is on a busy intersection where three roads meet.
Chairman of the residents group Pierre van Wyk explained that the hole opened up five months ago. “It started as a little hole with water squirting out. Joburg Water came and fixed the leak and opened the hole a bit wider.”
A small water pipe and a large stormwater pipe are left exposed in the hole.
He added that this hole issue has been logged by lots of people in the area and other from different suburbs who use the road but there is no response from the JRA.
“It has been escalated by the ward councillor over and over again and nothing is happening here. JRA is ignoring it. I think Joburg Water needs to get involved considering it’s their water line under there. They need to do a joint repair.”
Mafa said that they are aware of the situation and the collapse of the road is due to water pipe works that affected the stormwater pipes.
“Johannesburg Water has taken note of this and intends to divert their piping infrastructure to resolve this problem. Once the pipe diversion works have been carried out by Joburg Water, we will reinstate the road.
“In the meantime, we have barricaded the collapsed section for the safety of motorists and continue to monitor the site to ensure the barricades remain in place.”
Randburg Sun contacted Joburg Water on November 3, but has not received a response by the time of going to print.
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