Public liability waiting to happen on William Nicol Drive
BRYANSTON - Ward 102 councillor David Potter is convinced that the William Nicol Drive bridge just before Peter Place is a public liability waiting to happen.
“I fear that this may be another Coleraine Drive bridge debacle that will drag on for ages,” added Potter. He said the matter was brought to the Johannesburg Roads Agency’s attention years ago.
In a 2012 press release issued by the roads agency, road users were warned about the embankment erosion which is due to storm water that collects from the road, overtops the kerb and then spills down the embankment. Two years later the stretch of road still has the same problems.
Mpho Kau from the roads agency informed Potter that a consultant was appointed in 2012 to conduct investigations and develop a preliminary design of the remedial measures. An emergency procurement process for a contractor was then initiated, however, tenders received were found to be non-responsive. Kau added that once a consultant was appointed, construction is predicted to commence sometime in January.
“Pedestrians are at serious risk, even more so now,” said Potter. “The depot needs to urgently visit and secure the area before a pedestrian falls down the embankment. The roads agency needs to start with construction as a matter of urgency with full communication to the public.”
Potter is hopeful that since Coleraine Drive and Ballyclare Drive are under construction, maybe the roads agency can now also focus on William Nicol Drive.
Watch this video of Ward 102 councillor David Potter demonstrating how the embankment on the William Nicol Drive bridge in Bryanston is collapsing:
Have you seen the erosion on the embankments of the William Nicol Drive bridge in Bryanston? Tell us on our Facebook page if you believe the roads agency will secure the area before it becomes a disaster.
