Crumble, tumble, Scott Street

SCOTTBURGH’S central business district is failing.

One would wonder why, but as one business owner asked: “Why put up shop in what may very well be a run-down town. Scott Street business owners want to blame the mall for the decentralisation, but the fact is we should be pointing our fingers at uMdoni as well as each other.”

And it is a fact. Pavements have gaps and holes – and are simply not level enough for safe walking.

Adding to the degeneration is the fact that the garden – which could be mistaken for a dustbin – wall near Nedbank is crumbling and could collapse into the parking bays, as one wall already has done.

The business owner, who chose to remain anonymous, went on to say: “Although it is the municipality’s responsibility to see to the maintenance and upkeep of municipal property, it cannot be relied on and we should consider doing some repairs ourselves if our businesses are to survive.

“We make our living running our businesses; our employees rely on us. Yes, we cannot necessarily fix the damage to the pavements, or attend to the poor levelling of the road, but we can at least spruce up our shops to be more inviting.”

Meanwhile, the visible deterioration of not just pathways, but verges, steps and railings (which are used by the elderly) is evident.

Scottburgh resident, Pieter Nel, had his say as well: “We pay too much in rates and taxes. The municipality should forget about new offices and should rather focus on repairs,” he said, referring to the pavements and walls.

“Municipal salaries should be cut until the repairs are done,” he added.

And those repairs undertaken by the municipality are often inadequate.

Recent road re-surfacing was done and it seems as though the results are not up to scratch.

Cordiner Street, which leads to the Scottburgh beachfront, was also recently re-surfaced and it looks as though the road is simply melting away.

Even more disturbing is the fact that the previously painted ‘stop street’ sign could be seen through the cracks which have formed.

Attention should also be given to certain parking bays. One in particular is hardly ever used. The parking bay in front of Hairwaves, a local hair salon, “looks like a mini sinkhole,” said a nearby business manager.

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