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A bridge crossing to fear

Bridge poses a danger to people walking on foot.

Randfontein’s bridges are seemingly under attack as two bridges in the span of three different wards have been vandalised by thieves.

The first bridge hit was the bridge opposite Uncle Harry’s in Robinson.

The metals acting as a barrier from the bridge walkway and a long drop down to the railway line were stolen resulting in a wide open space posing a danger to pedestrians.

This bridge is in ward 9 of which Peter Dick is the ward Councillor. Dick visited the site and told the Herald it would be taken up at the Randfontein Local Municipality.

Days later, the municipality attempted put a slab of concrete in a bid to block the gaping hole. The slab was only intended to be a temporary solution. The municipality is looking into a more permanent fixture.

The bridge opposite Hoƫrskool Riebeeckrand (Rierand) has also been under attack.

This bridge is the divider for wards seven and six. Craig Harrison is the Councillor for ward 7 and Evert du Plessis is the Councillor for ward 6.

Ilonka Henning, a pupil of Hoƫrskool Riebeeckrand illustrates how wide the gaping hole in the railing is and just how vulnerable a pedestrian is on the bridge opposite Rierand.
Ilonka Henning, a pupil of Hoƫrskool Riebeeckrand illustrates how wide the gaping hole in the railing is and just how vulnerable a pedestrian is on the bridge opposite Rierand.

The bridge has metal railings on either side bolted into the ground. Nine of the railings have already been removed by thieves.

A section of the bridge closest to Rierand has two railing sections missing which poses a danger to pupilsĀ of the school walking to and from school.

The bridge also has more foot traffic than usual as the subway crossing from town to residential areas has been closed to foot traffic, forcing pedestrians to use the bridge.

As dangerous as the situation may be, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Harrision, says he has a solution to the problem and has already proposed it to the Randfontein Local Municipality.

Shortly after, the Herald, Harrison, and Peter Mathebula from the municipality came out to asses the situation.

He said that police have returned two metal railings to the municipality after recovering them.

Mathebula assured that he would do everything in his power to improve the current situation regarding the two bridges in Randfontein.

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Also read:

Bridge an accident waiting to happenĀ 

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