Annerie du Preez (email) writes:
Thanks Mathilde for covering the ongoing Galena Avenue saga in the Record on 1 April. The headline and the rest of the article indeed expressed the residents’ feelings 100 per cent, which we are grateful for, but we doubt it will have a positive effect any time soon. As of the date of this letter, barriers are still down.
We would, however, like to categorically state both parties mentioned in the article, JMPD spokesperson Wayne Minnaar and JRA spokesperson Bertha Scheepers, have shown their concern in addressing the issue. I’m not sure that councillor Carl Mann is sure which part of Galena Avenue is in question, as we were never approached to participate in a petition or a public meeting.
This issue remains a tough one for the JMPD and JRA but personally I agree with Scheepers, calming measures cannot be installed in the 90 degree bend, this would simply amplify the risks. I’m also not comfortable with Minnaar’s recommendation of reinforcing the barriers with concrete blocks. Though this might protect our properties, it could have fatal consequences to speeding motorists.
I fully understand why the JRA is referring the case back to JMPD. Implementing stricter law enforcement might be our only option to solve the problem. 99 per cent of the accidents there occur when motorists speed.
We trust that the issue will be addressed soon. In the mean time, we continue praying on a daily basis for pupils and workers who use our sidewalks without protection. We wait patiently for the barriers to be replaced.
