Replacing the Parkhurst Bridge could take a while
PARKHURST – The recent rains raised concerns to the residents of Parkhurst who witnessed the removal of the 5th Avenue Park footbridge last year as some got hurt trying to cross.
Most of the residents of Parkhurst were devastated last year upon the destruction and removal of the 5th Avenue Park footbridge. In the article, Bridge to come down, Week ending 22 June 2018, the Rosebank Killarney Gazette reported that a notice from GDARD (Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development) to take the bridge down had been issued to Rhys Ralph.
Ralph had constructed the bridge which he ended up taking down before the directive from GDARD was issued. Recently, however, a resident shared on social media how they had witnessed a resident getting badly hurt after trying to cross the bridge on the plank being used. Ralph said he has not heard from anyone from the City of Johannesburg ever since the destruction of the bridge but only heard that lots of people had been hurt trying to cross during the recent rains.
An environmental inspector from the office of the deputy director general at the City, Given Ndlovu said their duty had only been to issue the notice or ‘pre-directory’. “We, however, ended up not carrying out the directive since Ralph removed the bridge. We only address the illegal constructions by doing the enforcement or removal of such. It is then up to the ward councillor to follow-up and to see if the bridge would be replaced or not, based on the requests of the residents.”
Ward 117 councillor Tim Truluck said, “We are waiting to see if it can be included in the environmental licences for Jozi Trails. If not, then the City will have to apply and find R500 000 to apply.”
He added that they would also need to design and have it funded which could probably take about five to seven years.”All this assumes Eskom will allow it under their pylons.”
Details: Ward 117 councillor Tim Truluck email ttruluck@gmail.com
Who do you think should replace the bridge between the City and residents? Post your thoughts on our Facebook page at Rosebank Killarney Gazette
Related Articles:
https://www.citizen.co.za/rosebank-killarney-gazette/233109/bridge-over-troubled-waters/
https://www.citizen.co.za/rosebank-killarney-gazette/237101/city-to-redirect-funds-toward-r58-million-required-m2-bridge-maintenance/
