Residents of Sjampanje Street are asking what can be done about the speed and volume of traffic through their congested thoroughfare.
A popular shortcut between Hendrik Potgeiter Road to Nic Dierderichs Road, the narrow road carries vehicles of all sizes through the suburb passing the entrances of nine residential complexes between Lubbe Rouge and Vintage Streets.
The section of most concern is the step uphill with multiple changes of direction along the incline. Baring a mild resemblance to the Eau Rouge chicane of the Spa-Francorchamps Formula One circuit in Belguim, drivers are often tempted to test their accelerator as they carry momentum through the swerving corners. On the way down, many have misjudged the apex, crashing through the wall which now carries two large chevrons.
Resident Shaneen Silal claims she has explored all the relevant avenues in trying to have speed and traffic volume reduced through Sjampanje Street.
“I have witnessed cars come down that hill at an alarming speed and it makes it extremely difficult for us to come in and out of our place of residence. It has become really frustrating, we have pleaded for a solution, speed bumps or boomed off area or a traffic cop to set up a speed camera but we have had no luck,” said Shaneen.
Johannesburg Roads Agency(JRA) reiterated their stance that residents who wish to have traffic calming measures installed in their neighbourhoods must follow the petition process. JRA stated that no petition had been received for Sjampanje Street, and in order to submit one, a letter of support from the Ward Councillor and visuals depicting the location and position of proposed traffic calming measures must be presented. Additionally, the petition must come with a letter of support from the City of Johannesburg’s Regional Directors Office as well as a letter of support from the Johannesburg Metro Police Department, which is responsible for speed law enforcement.
However, speed bumps are unlikely to be considered as the road ticks several boxes that disqualify it from having speed bumps installed. JRA do not install speed bumps in front of or near entrances, in the shade of trees and other physical objects, within a specified distance of other control mechanisms such as stop sign or traffic circle, and most importantly, on gradients in excess of 6%.
JRA’s A-Z Traffic Calming Guide offers additional explanations as to why speed bumps are not approved. The entity believes that they are a problem for emergency vehicles such as ambulances and fire engines. Apart from discomfort to ambulance passengers, JRA states that speed bumps can delay response times as much as 10 seconds per bump. Their effectiveness is also questioned, as the guide stated, “Depending upon the vehicle and the hump design, going over a hump at a higher speed may cause less discomfort than a lower speed”.
Should booming off the road be a popular option, JRA advised residents to download the City’s ‘Security Control Access Policy’ and follow the legislated process. Inundated with requests for traffic calming measures, JRA will hold a virtual public meeting on November 16 at 18:30 to fully elaborate on their reasoning and methodology. Details for access to the meeting can be found on all ward councillor information groups.
