Residents in Krans Street in Linksfield desperately want speed bumps to be installed on their road, but the Johannesburg Roads Agency say there is a strict process to follow before a decision is made.
Linksfield residents are worried about cars that speed on their roads on a daily basis when parents drop off their children at King David High School in Linksfield.
In a statement sent to the North Eastern Tribune by Roanna Solomons, residents accuse parents of driving as though they are on a race track. She claims they have lost four animals who were knocked over and killed due to negligent driving.
“These people drive big 4x4s, Porsche Cayenne’s, Land Rovers etcetera. Most of them are women and [they are] always on their cellphones,” said Solomons.
“I have begged and pleaded with the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) to put up speed bumps. I have even offered to pay for them to be put up.”
Solomons said she has written to the school requesting that they place something in their newsletter pleading with parents and other road users to drive slower, to no avail.
Residents say their primary concern is to have road signs put up, stating: ‘Drive slowly – look out for animals crossing the road’ to deter people from speeding.
Bertha Peters-Scheepers, marketing and communications manager at JRA, said for speed bumps to be installed, residents need approval from various organs of local government.
Speed bumps must be warranted as per the South African Road Traffic Signs Manual (SARTSM) and the City’s traffic calming policy. A traffic assessment or study needs to be done before considering their request, said Peters-Scheepers.
Other requirements ‘include an approval letter from the ward councillors, an A2 engineering drawing depicting the proposed position of the traffic calming hump(s), a letter of support from the City’s regional director’s office, as well as a letter of support from the Joburg Metro Police Department responsible for speed law enforcement’, said Peters-Scheepers.
“These documents must be submitted to the JRA’s traffic engineering and analysis department for assessment and approval.”
On receipt of the documentation, an investigation will be undertaken by the department to determine if the road class, gradient and geometric standard of all the mentioned roadways can accommodate and will warrant the installation of traffic calming speed bumps.
When contacted, Tom Johnson, the vice principal of King David School, confirmed that Solomons spoke to the school regarding the matter and they have relayed the message to the parents, warning them about speeding on Krans Street.
“We put the message on our school’s [D6 School] Communicator requesting them to reduce speed, and furthermore, to respect the residents and the rules of the road,” he said.
“The same message will also be published on this week’s communicator.”
Details: Johannesburg Roads Agency 011 298 5023.
