The ongoing traffic light nightmare in Morningside near the Wedge Shopping Centre on Rivonia Road and Alon Road has left residents concerned about the situation.
According to furious Morningside resident Annette Fine, the traffic lights have not been working for almost a year now, and it has been a major worry for the community members as they use The Wedge Shopping Centre frequently.
“For the past many months, I have contacted various institutions to get the traffic lights working. I wrote many emails and messages to the roads agency, Eskom, and the DA, but nothing has been resolved.”
She added that she has spoken to councillor Lynda Shackelford of Ward 103 about the situation; unfortunately, they have nothing more to do than contact Darren Bergman, MP of the Dirco, who was also unable to get anywhere.
“There have been numerous accidents at the intersection as it is a 12-direction intersection, which makes it particularly dangerous to cross for pedestrians and cars. We call for urgent attention.”
She highlighted that the intersection is a death trap for motorists and pedestrians.
“One could swear that they are in hell when they are in this intersection’s traffic in the morning. Can it get fixed before something bad happens?” Fine, says while pointing at the traffic lights.
Ward 103 councillor Lynda Shackelford acknowledges that she knows about the traffic lights and is affected by them as she drives past them every day.
“I have tried following up on the matter countless times, and at the moment, I am speaking with JRA and Eskom people about it.”
Another resident, Michele Kilbourn Louw, said, “The intersection’s lights have been out of order for ages, and I fear going through this intersection, but it is a must for me as I have to collect my son from the gym.”
Louw adds that not only is taxi traffic a hit-and-miss affair, but the attitude of drivers at the intersection also creates confusion and increases the risk of collision.
“What I find so strange is that I have never seen Outsurance traffic controllers there, yet it is busy, especially during peak hours. Please fix the traffic lights or put in solar-driven lights, JRA, so we can drive peacefully and stress-free.”
The Sandton Chronicle contacted JRA about the traffic lights. Spokesperson Bertha Peters-Scheepers said, “I have checked out the issue, it is power. Please direct your query to Eskom as the issue is not with the traffic signals but with the power supply to the intersection and Eskom supplies power at this intersection.”
The Chronicle made several phone calls to Eskom personnel for comment, but none of them picked up our calls by the time of going to print. Should the paper manage to obtain comment at some stage, it will then be published.
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