RNM holds roads summit to seek solutions
Some of the solutions that the municipality are seeking are designated areas for metered taxis, school transport and the taxi rank.
Ray Nkonyeni Municipality (RNM) along with Department of Transport (DoT) and South African National Roads Agency SOC Ltd (Sanral) held a Roads Infrastructure Network Summit at the civic centre in Port Shepstone last week.
Also in attendance were ratepayers’ associations and the taxi industry.
The purpose of the summit was to discuss the state of the roads. It was also to unpack the RNM roads and storm water masterplan with focus on implementation.
Municipal manager Max Mbili said another reason for the summit was to seek solutions.
“We are here to see how best we can adapt to climate change because in April the floods destroyed all roads, even the ones we had just fixed and maintained.”
He also said it was to establish possible funding sources and partnerships from other government agencies.
RNM mayor Skhumbuzo ‘Zero’ Mqadi also demonstrated how to fill potholes on Nelson Mandela Drive.
Some of the solutions that the municipality are seeking are designated areas for metered taxis, school transport and the taxi rank.
The long-awaited intermodal taxi facility was also discussed.
For years the municipality has been talking about upgrading the Port Shepstone taxi rank so that congestion in the CBD is controlled, and that the rank is easily accessible and clean.
Mbili said they are not only looking for solutions for the roads, but also all modes of transport including railways.
Mqadi said he does not want to see accidents where a driver hits a pothole and loses control, or dies.
“The pothole problem must come to an end now.”
He said that communities are unhappy with the state of the roads. “We cannot tell people that we cannot help them because a certain road belongs to DoT or Sanral, they don’t care about that. We have to try and help them or at least register the complaint.”
Mqadi said it’s not only about the potholes but also signage and verge cutting.
DoT and Sanral have pledged to help RNM resolve road-related issues.
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