Removal of one-way traffic flow causing headaches outside primary school
Weltevreden Park Primary School were informed in March that their traffic diversion plan would no longer be allowed.
The roads past the front gates of all schools are dense on any given day but one has had their longtime traffic solution removed.
For over 20 years, the flow of traffic along Cockspur Road changed for a few short hours a day into a one-way slipstream. With no right-hand turns possible when approaching from Rooihout Avenue, vehicles headed downhill between Malva Street and Krinkhout Avenue toward Jim Fouché Road in an orderly fashion. As of March this year, this traffic diversion has been removed, creating chaos and congestion during pick-up and drop-off times.
Weltevreden Park Primary School was informed in March that Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) would no longer sanction the streamlining of the traffic flow in the mornings or afternoons. The two signs that had become commonplace were thus removed and the very reason for their existence, safety, soon became a concern. On June 1, a boy was injured when he was struck by a vehicle navigating the tight spaces.
Even before the current congestion outside the school, Weltevreden Park Primary sent out regular alerts via their newsletter urging courtesy, patience and respect when collecting and dropping off learners. Parents and residents have pinned much of the errant driving behavior at the feet of private school transport busses but fellow parents are also guilty of inconsiderate parking and selfish driving.
Brian Briddle lives across from the school and his child requires a special vehicle to be transported to and from a school for the disabled. Brian fumes at the private school transporters while retelling how he needs to stop traffic himself to allow the necessary access to his home.
Agreeing with Brian that the old system was far superior, the parent of a Grade 1 learner Moleboheng Mothibe said, “It is not okay because there will be an accident and kids are going to get hurt. The school must do something.”
Senior members of staff at the school said they were not consulted about the removal of their traffic diversion points. The school does have staggered grade-specific finishing times and various collection points to assist with congestion but is unable to dictate matters outside its walls.
Steve Mabona, Gauteng Department of Education spokesperson, confirmed that traffic congestion outside schools did not fall under the department’s jurisdiction.
JMPD and Johannesburg Road Agency (JRA) are the authorities with the power to help residents.
“JRA approves traffic management plans as per studies, including necessary signage etc. However, the enforcement thereof is within JMPD’s mandate,” said JRA media liaison, Berth Scheepers-Peters.
JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla was contacted for an explanation on June 2 and June 5 via WhatsApp but had not responded by the time of publication.
A petition has since been started to reinstate the traffic diversions and has gathered 640 signatures as of June 5. Charice Rocha, whose children went to Weltevreden Park Primary and who now collects learners in her private capacity, began the petition after the incident where the boy was injured.
Noting the irony of the beginning of June as Child Protection Week, Charice said, “I just believe in active citizenry. We are a village so it is our collective responsibility. We have to stand up and say this is wrong.”
