Update, 16 June, 9.30am:
Rosebank Killarney Gazette journalist, Naidine Sibanda, was at the scene to capture the removal of the footbridge.
#5th_Avenue_Park bridge finally removed @RK_Gazette pic.twitter.com/zRZ3sVtGoW
— Naidine PS (@NaidinePs) June 16, 2018
Final stages during removal of #5th_Avenue_Park bridge as per orders from #provincial_government @RK_Gazette pic.twitter.com/lrDwIiTrOh
— Naidine PS (@NaidinePs) June 16, 2018
Ward 117 Councillor @TimTruluck gives his input regarding the #5th_Avenue_Park bridge removal @RK_Gazette pic.twitter.com/nny1Z5iktb
— Naidine PS (@NaidinePs) June 16, 2018
5th Avenue, Parkhurst bridge in the process of being taken down by Rhys' hired team @RK_Gazette pic.twitter.com/ClwavyohDo
— Naidine PS (@NaidinePs) June 16, 2018
Bridge on 5th Avenue, Parkhurst about to be taken down after orders from #GDARD @RK_Gazette pic.twitter.com/xgGvDT01Gm
— Naidine PS (@NaidinePs) June 16, 2018
Don’t forget to check out the front page of next week’s edition of our publication for the full details of this story.
Earlier, 15 June, 5.25pm
A notice of ‘intention to issue a directive’ to remove a footbridge, constructed in 2016 in 5th Avenue Park, landed in Rhys Ralph’s mailbox in May this year.
The two-year-old footbridge constructed by Ralph as a way of getting across the river to neighbouring suburbs, has been used by about 500 people every day. “Prior to constructing the bridge, I reached out to the councillor for Parkhurst and advised that I would like to improve the former bridge which was a plank, as it posed a huge danger,” Ralph explained.
However, a few weeks ago Ralph received a notice from the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD). The notice addressed from Priscilla Pietersen read, “in my capacity as the Deputy director general of GDARD, hereby give you written notice of my intention to issue you with a Directive that relates to the illegal construction of gabion structures and footbridges within a watercourse and has the potential to cause, has caused or may cause significant harm to the environment.”
“For the past three years I have personally paid for the removal of rubble and refuse in the park, I have spent about R300 000 towards it.
“My proposal was that every resident of Craigtowne contribute R20 per person per month for the upkeep of the park area on their land – they simply ignored every email and request,” Ralph said.
However, Ralph stated that he already took down the gabion structures and would go ahead and take down the bridge on the weekend as he neither had the time nor the energy for the squabbles.
Rosebank Killarney Gazette is following this story and will provide an update on Monday, 18 June.
For more details on this story, check out the edition of our publication due to hit your doorsteps next week!
Details: Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development 011 240 2500.
Share your views on GDARD’s pending decision to take down the bridge on Rosebank Killarney Gazette’s Facebook page.
Related articles:
https://www.citizen.co.za/rosebank-killarney-gazette/214492/clean-up-at-carlow-road-bridge/
https://www.citizen.co.za/rosebank-killarney-gazette/179397/repair-on-m1-bridge-commences/
