RAs hold fruitful discussions with JRA
Representatives from residents' associations held frank and fruitful discussions with the Region C operations manager for JRA.
In their continuing efforts to turn the tide for the Northside, residents’ association (RA) representatives, supported by the City of Johannesburg councillor Theo Doyle, managed to secure a meeting with the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) Region C operations manager Lawrence Maseko, on February 15.
According to WRAP residents’ association chair Martin van der Westhuizen, the RAs and Maseko held a frank and very productive meeting, where several issues were raised and addressed.
“We did not necessarily get all the outcomes we had hoped for,” said Van der Westhuizen, “but we did manage to clear up a lot of pressing issues, and were pointed in the right direction about solving others.”
One of the topics of discussion was the current state of the Metro Boulevard Road Reserve. While processes to one day build a traffic artery on this land continue – albeit seemingly at a snail’s pace – virtually no upkeep is taking place on this land.
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This has resulted in many issues, like overgrowth of invasive tree and plant species, illegal dumping, vagrancy, and the increase of crime incidences in some neighbourhoods neighbouring directly on the road reserve.
The immediate aim of the RAs was to negotiate an agreement with JRA for the clearing and cleaning of this stretch of land to curb crime. This would also solve many other issues including discouraging illegal occupation of the land.
“We even suggested that, if they can facilitate a once-off clearing and cleaning of the land, our communities can take ownership of the land and, through the respective RAs and bordering housing developments, come up with the funding and manpower to maintain the land in question,” said Honeydew RA deputy chair Minda Kruger.
“Unfortunately, it seems the issue is much more complicated than anticipated since there are so many stakeholders involved. These include not only JRA, but also City Parks, City Power, and Eskom. Luckily, as a result of this productive meeting, we are now equipped with the right information that will enable us to take this issue further.”
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Other issues discussed were the maintenance of sidewalks and curbs throughout the Northside area and the clearing and maintenance of green belts and stormwater systems.
Maseko also provided clarity concerning the ongoing repairs of traffic diversion routes caused by the extended closure of Hendrik Potgieter Road, the surfacing of some more rural roads, as well as issues regarding the re-scraping of the many gravel roads in the area.
The RAs and Maseko have agreed to keep in regular contact to more effectively communicate the needs of the community to the department, and for the community to keep up to date with the efforts of the department to carry out their duties.
