With Vaalweekblad’s site visit two weeks ago, it was clear that the side of the road was at certain spots on the verge of caving in. “It’s a death trap,” warns one of the concerned motorists.
Vaalweekblad requested Emfuleni Local Municipality to give urgent attention to the area as proactive action was desperately needed to save the road from collapsing, incurring high repair costs and a lot of discomfort for students and other residents if it has to be closed for a protracted period. Timely repairs will not only incur some extra costs but if not repaired, could also cause serious accidents.
The ditch with a depth of between two and three metres and more than 100 metres’ in length is directly alongside the road and, to make matters worse, the road takes a sharp turn there. In the evenings there is no street lighting and if it rains an unsuspecting motorist cannot see where the road ends and where the ditch begins.
This presents a danger that can cost lives.
Emfuleni personnel last week began laying the 750 mm-diameter stormwater pipe and filling in the ditch, but following Vaalweekblad’s visit the past weekend, the ditch was still only partially filled. The greatest portion was still open. It is believed that workers will proceed with their work this week.
‘Death trap’ in busy boulevard
VANDERBIJLPARK. - Must disaster strike before something is done? This is the question asked by many motorists regarding a deep ditch next to Hendrik van Eck Boulevard near the NWU Vaal campus. Numerous residents have in the past few weeks voiced concern as the ditch seemed to “grow” as a result of stormwater erosion.
