JRA responds to The Valley Road concerns

Members of the Johannesburg Heritage Association, the Forest Town Ratepayers Association and the local community alleged that due procedures were not followed during the planning of the construction of the bridge and that the agency did not formally approach homeowners in the vicinity. (See article Construction ruffles feathers week ending 16 October)

Spokesperson for the agency, Bertha Peters-Scheepers, wanted to assure all stakeholders that the matter was being taken very seriously and the agency will take all necessary steps to ensure that construction will commence with minimal inconvenience to residents.

“The JRA will arrange a stakeholder engagement meeting with members of the community and any other interested parties to discuss all the project aspects,” said Peters-Scheepers.

“The location of the campsite within/adjacent to this area will be mentioned in the revisions to the Notice of Intent to Develop (NID) which will be submitted to the Provincial Heritage Resources Authority of Gauteng (PHRAG), along with all of the concerns noted.”

Peters-Scheepers also stated on behalf of the agency that all of the community’s comments regarding the environmental management plan will be taken into account and that residents’ involvement would be appreciated.

Important key aspects of the construction planning further discussed by Peters-Scheepers included (but not limited to):

• More explicit mention of The Valley Home and its heritage significance and proximity
• Existing trees are not to be removed
• The problems with the stormwater flows in Forest Town
• A consolidated communications campaign outlining the project and the traffic management plan will begin shortly. Input from residents at the engagement session will be accommodated.

“The community is a critical stakeholder for the JRA and for this project, and as such, we are committed to consultation with the community and other stakeholders identified,” Peters-Scheepers concluded.

Details: www.jra.org.za