Bridge an accident waiting to happen
'Nothing separates the walkway from the train line and it’s wires.'
The Robinson bridge into Randfontein opposite Uncle Harry’s just off the R28 is an accident waiting to happen.
The Herald was informed by concerned residents about the state of the bridge and what a danger it poses to people walking over the bridge on foot.
The bridge is located in Randfontein ward 9 which falls under DA Ward Councillor, Peter Dick.
According to Dick, the hazardous bridge has been reported to the municipality but it is unclear who is responsible for the maintenance of the bridge as it is allegedly not wholly owned by the Randfonein Local Municipality.
When the Herald went to investigate the matter with Dick, it was found that the sides of the bridge have crumbled and have been repaired with corrugated metal sheets which are painted white.
Coming from Uncle Harry’s to Randfontein, on the left hand side of the bridge, for approximately two metres, there is neither a protective railing, nor protective cement slab nor sheet of metal acting as a barrier between the bridge and the train lines.
Where there should be a protective barrier to protect pedestrians from falling to their death onto a train line is a gaping hole.
The bridge proved to be very windy when the Herald investigated, and the slightest wrong step accompanied with a gust of wind could prove detrimental especially for children.
The drop from the bridge down to the train tracks is over ten metres. Wires from the train line are now completely visible to those walking by on the bridge.
View more photos here.
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