A security and accident risk has been identified by the community of Weltevreden Park following the installation of two ventilators by a contractor in the area.
The F46 Pipeline project, which is behind most of the earthworks that have taken place in Weltevreden Park in the past three years, has been heavily criticised by the community for disrupting services ever since its equipment was brought into the area.
This year is no different, as they are now accused of failing to conduct a proper study of the area where they installed the ventilation systems on the side of JG Strydom Road. According to the Panorama Residents Association chairperson, Dave Baxter, the two ventilators pose a risk to a property and motorists using JG Strydom Road.
“The installation of the first ventilator next to the property in Matumie Avenue, backing onto JG Strydom Road, is a security risk since the contractor put up clear mesh fencing and did not provide a lock for the gate,” he indicated.
He added that he believed the risk is even more serious, as the ventilator fence has been erected very close to the property’s boundary wall, making it very easy to scale the fence and jump into the property.
Dave, a senior citizen, demonstrated how easy it was for him to climb the fence, and suggested that youngsters would climb over even quicker than he did.
The second ventilator is on the corner of Batoka Avenue and JG Strydom Road, and Dave pointed out that it obscures the view motorists have of oncoming vehicles.
“The air vent obscures motorists’ view of light motor vehicles travelling north, turning and crossing over JG Strydom Road,” he said.
He said he had suggested that the company, Maziya General Services, buy a lock for the gate and erect razor wire on the top of the fence around the first ventilator.
With regard to the second ventilator, Dave claimed that he had been told by the contractor that there was nothing he could do about the problem. The F46 pipeline project manager has been contacted via email to verify these claims, but had not responded at the time this article was published.
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