The Chronicle recently reported on a stormwater drain leak in Ballyclare Drive, Bryanston and the resultant pooling of water at the intersection of Ballyclare Drive and St Audley Road, which was causing a weakening of the road surface and numerous potholes.
Anthony Barnard, chairman of Bryneven Primary School situated on the road, said the school’s management had been blamed for the blocked drain by motorists, residents and parents. “We have performed our own investigation and believe the water is the result of a blockage in the drainage system caused by the accumulation of excess sand from a development across the road,” he said, adding that he believed this sand was from a construction company developing on the road. He further expressed concerns over heavy-weight trucks moving up and down the road for construction purposes.
Jacques Robbertze, contracts director of Group Five Building, said, “We are aware that the road is in need of attention, but are not aware of blockages to the stormwater system. We will, however, investigate Mr Barnard’s concerns. It should be noted that no heavy trucks or hauling has been conducted by our company over the past four months as the bulk of our contruction work on the road, at the Bally Oaks Office Park, was completed in March 2013.” He said any material removed from the site by the company had been disposed of using external contractors who were registered with the necessary authorities to dispose of this material.
He said he was aware of further development happening at the same office park, with a contractor currently involved in excavation work at the site.
Pieter Albertyn, spokesperson for DMC Consulting Engineers (Pty) Ltd, the construction company in question, said the stormwater inlet had been blocked since the company started working on the road.
He said a separate stormwater system had been installed specifically for the office park development.
“All material excavated from the development is hauled to spoil sites by our company and we clean the surface of the road on a regular basis.”
Ward 103 councillor Vincent Earp said the debacle over the stormwater drain and water at the intersection had been going on for months. “The Joburg Roads Agency seems to be ‘fumbling while Rome is burning’,” he said.
