It seems no matter what residents of Galena Avenue do or say, they’ll still be left without safety measures and picking up the pieces after accidents on the bend.
This according to upset residents in Galena Avenue, among them Annerie du Preez. In both February and March they’ve engaged with ward councillor Carl Mann and Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) spokesperson Bertha Scheepers regarding speeding and regular collisions. According to their complaints, at least five properties are regularly affected by speedsters and collisions on the road, in light of the fact that the road curves at 90 degrees in front of these residences.
“It would seem Galena Avenue has become a route motorists take to avoid traffic on Wilgerood Road in the mornings and evenings,” one resident in an email to Scheepers on 23 February wrote.
“We have requested from [JRA] that speed humps be put up, but this was turned down due to the demographics of the road. Two flashing warning lights and the existing barriers do nothing to slow motorists down.”
She made mention of the fact that JMPD spokesperson Wayne Minnaar’s cousin was involved in one of the accidents on this road in 2015. After an accident on 21 February the barriers in front of her yard were wiped out. Her family is exposed once more, she said.
Two weeks later, Du Preez added her voice to other residents’. In her email, she highlighted the fact that barriers were yet to be repaired, even after it was reported telephonically in addition to email requests. Pupils and pedestrians who travel the sidewalks of Galena Avenue are exposed to these risks. Children cannot play in their front yards. Clients who visit Swanepoel’s home office risk their parked vehicles. Barriers are not replaced speedily enough. Replaced barriers are not to the satisfaction of residents, who feel they don’t stretch far enough and aren’t planted deep enough. An accident scene is also left for residents to clear afterwards.
Residents to beware of hazards
According to Scheepers, inspectors visited the area in early March and the barrier issue was escalated to the depot. She mentioned the JRA had recently improved road markings and signage on the road, repainting the lines as recently as last year.
“Despite receiving various requests we cannot install traffic calming measures [on Galena Avenue] as this will amplify risks, given the road’s geometric layout,” Scheepers in an email response wrote.
“This includes not installing speed humps or rumble strips in the road. The strips will be too noisy. The incidents seem to occur a mere 80m from the stop street, where clear signage has been installed to warn motorists. The matter will be referred to the Metro Police, particularly Wayne Minnaar, for traffic law enforcement,” she concluded.
A resident later told the Record the umpteenth accident had occurred on the bend over the weekend. She said despite feedback from the JRA mid-March the barrier outside her house had not yet been fixed.
“Instead of police getting involved in managing drunk driving on this road, us residents are regularly told by officers that damages to our properties remain a matter between us and our insurance companies,” she complained.
According to Ward 85 councillor Carl Mann, he shares Galena Avenue with Ward 83 councillor Suzanne Clarke as ward borders have shifted. From his side, Mann said he has had many an argument with council in this regard.
“I’ve been struggling alongside the residents for over a year to have traffic calming measures installed.”
Mann recalled a public meeting with regard to the issues last year which had a poor turnout. He confirmed he received a petition from residents which was forwarded to the City of Johannesburg (CoJ).
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