Help maintain Warner Beach Subway
Without any support or assistance from local business and the public at large, this seems like fighting a losing battle.
A LENGTH of wooden fencing erected to ensure public safety, was recently stolen from the Warner Beach Subway.
“Imagine the heartbreaking disappointment upon discovering that a length of fencing was stolen from the only proud spot in Warner Beach,” said Amanzimtoti resident and volunteer, Lee Lewis.
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The Warner Beach Subway project was started amid great fanfare on Heritage Day in September 2015 by Sapphire Coast Tourism and members of the community, subsequent to many locals being victimised by vagrants along Kingsway near the Subway.
Keen hands helped to get bushes trimmed, weeds eradicated and tons of rubble removed. The subway was then sanitised, repainted and decorated and has been regularly maintained for the past six years.
She said there is little to no roadside appeal when driving from Somerset bend into the once popular Warner Beach. “In fact, some places are downright scary.
Currently there are only four community members who contribute to the maintenance of the area, therefore I want to highlight the importance of maintaining the only landmark which some locals invested a great deal of energy and resources into.
It is no secret that many locals who visit businesses along Kingsway do so without trepidation due to crime, so it is a no-brainer to create a clean, parklike environment, devoid of encroaching bush. Similar projects in Kloof and Umhlanga Rocks are well supported by their communities,” said Lewis.
“Thousands of hours of manpower went into maintaining this upgrade, not to mention the monetary burden, stoically borne by two or three dedicated residents in an effort to keep loiterers and resultant crime at bay.
Without any support or assistance from local business and the public at large, this seems like fighting a losing battle. Heartbreaking as it may be, perhaps the diehard community members should now also withdraw to allow rapid decay to take its course, making the whole area an unsafe playground for unsavory elements again? Or do we, as a community, draw a line in the sand?” said Lewis. Zeele Pauw,
an Amanzimtoti resident and volunteer, said right now she is one of the few people in the area financially responsible for the maintenance of the subway area.
Her aim is to create awareness, and challenge community members and businesses along Kingsway Road to get involved and assist where they can, just like they did when the area was first revamped.
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