South Coast motorists who use Marine Drive daily, which is currently under rehabilitation between St Michaels and Oslo Beach, say it is now costing them an arm and a leg to use the toll road.
Since the start of the multi-million rand project, suggestions were made that the South African National Roads Agency SOC Ltd, (Sanral) scrap or reduce toll fees for the duration of the project, which is expected to be completed in 30 months.
Ray Nkonyeni Municipality and the Department of Transport have tried to communicate with Sanral but received no response.
The toll fees is R16.50 per trip from Oribi Toll Plaza and if travelling on the same route twice a day it costs R33, exclusive of petrol and diesel, which saw prices increase on Wednesday this week.
Motorists still travelling on Marine Drive have to bear the brunt of traffic congestion. To avoid being stuck on the road for almost an hour, some have opted to take the toll or the P200 through Izotsha and Marburg to get to Port Shepstone.
Others have no choice but to pay the fees as traffic is also a problem on the P200, especially in the mornings during school drop-off and pick-up in the afternoons.
Lorraine Henning who travels from Margate to Marburg says she now uses the toll road twice a day.
“We are thankful that our roads are getting fixed but something needs to be done about the toll fees. Before the road works, I travelled from Margate to Marburg using the toll road in the morning and the P200 in the evening, to save costs. Now I can’t use that road as traffic is heavy and I am forced to use the toll in the evening too,” Henning explained.
She said diesel and toll fees will cost her R2792 a month, previously it cost R2390.
DA councillor, George Henderson agreed that the P200 is in a good state, however many may say that the road has too many bends. “It is an alternative route even though it may seem to take longer depending where you are driving from,” said Henderson.
He said traffic going through the toll is flowing now that two booths are open. “We are hoping that our plea to Sanral is heard,” Henderson added.
The road project is progressing as work on the next section, between Uvongo and St Michaels has started and will be completed by December 16.
Pieter Sassenberg of Raubex said the lane to Port Shepstone remains closed with controlled stops for traffic flow. He emphasised that residents living along Marine Drive should be cautious when exiting or entering their premises.
In the next two weeks, work will start on a section from the Izotsha River bridge, near My Happy Place to Cooper Drive, near the Oslo Beach Lodge which is set to be completed by November 30.
Sanral was contacted for comment but none was received at the time of going to press.
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