Another deteriorating road in Roodepoort has some residents expressing dissatisfaction about its sad state.
Lately, Constantia Drive, which has been dubbed ‘Pothole Drive’, is one of many roads that leave motorists fearful of the well-being of their tyres and rims.
A frequent user of this damaged road is Jan von der Heyde, who suggested that it was time the route received a facelift.
“Constantia Drive is in need of resurfacing as one clearly sees potholes forming,” he complained.
He hinted about intersecting routes that were also in a horrific condition. “The short link road of Kapok Street from Constantia Drive to Okkerneut Street is a disaster full of potholes. There are potholes everywhere, and there’s hardly any original road surface left,” he further complained.
“Constantia Drive is a dangerous road with a children’s nursery school at the one end of the street,” he cautioned.
“Where is all the money going to, and with little if any service delivery? he asked, suggesting consequence management to be implemented urgently.
Ward 89 councillor Amelia Bester weighed in on the matter. “Every year we participate in the Integrated Development Planning (IDP) process by applying for capital expenditure. Among the items we’ve asked for in the past, is the resurfacing of certain roads in our ward.
“The list published for the Region for this financial year makes no provision for resurfacing in Ward 89. I am informed that the allocation is made without conducting site visits,” Amelia alluded to the deliberate exclusion of her ward.
To attest to her statement, Amelia added that together with her ward committee members they submitted the top 10 worst roads to JRA for consideration, and wrote to relevant officials to get these concerns addressed.
The councillor attributed the shortcomings of this crisis to allegations of mismanagement at the entity, which has been proved by the state of the roads.
“During an oversight visit this week, I was informed that the roads agency had no functioning vehicles for a period of three week due to non-renewal of a fuel contract. The asphalt plant was also non-operational for the most part of 2020. We’ve seen the effect of mismanagement on the ground, with potholes lying bare for months on end,” she lamented.
“I understand contractors have been appointed to attend to some potholes in the Region, and our Urban Inspector has updated our list of requests for repairs.”
She concluded by urging residents to log potholes by emailing JRA at mediaqueiries@jra.org.za.
