Bluff washaways, sinkholes due for R3-m repairs
The huge sinkhole in Tara Road, which will be repaired at a cost of R500,000, is one of several that have developed in the wake of the 10 October storm
THE storm-ravaged parts of the Bluff’s roads are due to receive attention soon, at the hefty price tag of close on R3-million.
IT will cost the city a massive amount to repair and rehabilitate the affected areas in Bluff that was torn apart during the storm two months ago according to ward 66 councillor JP Prinsloo.
The huge sinkhole in Tara Road, which will be repaired at a cost of R500,000, is one of several that have developed in the wake of the 10 October storm. Sinkholes or washaways have afflicted Brighton and Donnaleigh Road (roads and stormwater repairs) which will cost R500,000 to repair; the Stableford Road washaway which will cost R800,000 and Chipstead Avenue which will cost R1-million to repair.
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Chipstead Avenue has been a concern for Cllr Prinsloo, who complained to the roads and stormwater maintenance department (RSWM) and the coastal, stormwater and catchment management department (CSCM) last year on 19 and 30 September. He had appealed to the departments to investigate the damage to Chipstead Avenue incurred during the September 2016 storm. The road surface revealed several cracks and a washaway.
On 14 June this year, the CSCM officials indicated that no finance was available to rehabilitate Chipstead Avenue and a further investigation had to be conducted to incorporate the geotechnical lab’s findings to implement remedial measures.
Since the initial report sent to the RSWM and CSCM departments, a further nine follow-up emails were sent to the various officials to ascertain what would be done to repair the road. On 30 September 2016, the CSCM department indicated the road had been inspected and they were in the process of formulating a methodology for rehabilitation,” said Cllr Prinsloo. Since then, another two severe storms, including the 10 October, 2017 storm, have battered and further eroded the road.
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“It has been more than a year since the initial problems in Chipstead Avenue were reported to the department and because of no action from the municipality, curtain sections of the road washed away completely during the 10 October storm, forcing the road to be closed. Chipstead Avenue has now been placed on the city’s emergency repair project list where the city is going to the bid adjudication committee for all the emergency projects on Monday, 4 December,” added Cllr Prinsloo.
The long delays are of serious concern and point to a general lack of capacity of the municipality to attend to issues once reported. “When lives and properties are at risk there must be a more active approach to dealing with issues. There are a number of issues throughout the ward that has been left standing for prolonged periods. The mayor and her administration must reconsider their priorities as the ratepayers of the city grow impatient with poor service delivery and poor management,” he said.
Adding to the Chipstead Avenue woes, the washaway is becoming a dumping site for people who have discarded furniture and waste into the hole, which extends all the way down to the railway lines.
Repairs to the Tara Road sinkhole are due to begin as soon as funding is made available.
