Despite numerous warnings to council, a retaining wall on Beach Road collapsed on Monday afternoon, 15 December.
Fortunately no passers-by were injured when the wall, bordering the property of the Spring Tide complex, gave way.
However, the issue has become something of a football with council claiming the wall’s collapse resulted from the complex’s intervention.
eThekwini Municipality secured the perimeter with Jersey barrier (concrete) blocks on Thursday, 11 December, which contained the spill of sand and concrete onto the sidewalk.
Spring Tide resident and board of trustees member, Ken Browning has been monitoring the state of the wall since he moved into the complex in August 2013.
“I first reported it last November,” he said. “In May or June, council secured the perimeter with drums and danger tape, but the tape blew away shortly after and the drums were removed in July.”
The wall was inspected by the municipality’s structural department in May. In his report, Jacques van Heerden of the structural department said: “Property owners of Spring Tide at 54 Beach Road had widened their access driveway, which is located directly behind the council-owned brick retaining wall. The widening of the driveway resulted in an additional surcharge loading to now act on the brick retaining wall, for which it was not designed.
It is believed that this action has led to the brick retaining wall’s current condition of distress, which will ultimately lead to a complete structural failure.”
He recommended that the property owners would have to re-design and repair the damaged brick retaining wall.
“Council is under the impression we widened the driveway, which we didn’t,” said Ken. “Now they say it is the body corporate’s responsibility.”
Ward 97 councillor, Andre Beetge has communicated and requested guidance from various municipal departments to find a resolution since the problem was brought to his attention earlier this year.
“Monday’s collapse revealed that the embankment is propped up with sand bags,” he said. “My own questions echo those of the residents and property owners in that was that the requirement 20 years ago or did the developer fail to follow regulations? Or did someone fail to make the necessary observations or recommendations?
Be that as it may, part of the embankment is down and with the possibility of rain, one can certainly expect further damage and the creation of a dangerous situation.”
