This week we look at the Advertiser’s November 10, 2006, edition.
• Bridge to be easier on the eye
Finally, the rusty railway bridge along Nigel Road will get the pampering it deserves.
The bridge, which is about 80 years old, is used by commuter trains.
Over the years it has been used to display posters and adverts and has been defaced by graffiti artists.
No maintenance has been done of late and the metal structures between Knecht and Hagart Avenue has become an eyesore.
In July this year, Selection Park resident Peter Denton contacted the Springs Advertiser, bemoaning the state of the bridge.
After being volleyed between the Ekurhuleni metro, Spoornet and Metrorail, it was finally established that the bridge is Spoornet’s responsibility.
Over the months, many divisions of Spoornet were contacted and asked when maintenance on the bridge would begin.
Also read: Delving into the past
Although Denton had organised a donation of 20 litres of paint by Plascon, it took months for Spoornet to determine that the paint was not suitable for the job.
However, on Monday morning, after months of frustration and repeated complaints about the state of the bridge from residents, Spoornet and the metro finally gave maintenance work the thumbs up.
Maxwell Chauke, bridge maintenance officer at Spoornet, explained that the renovating of the bridge could take up to six weeks as trains need to be stopped and Nigel Road will also be closed at times.
Members of the public are warned to take precautions when travelling to and from Selection Park to prevent any accidents.
• Fired-up patient
When Pollak Park resident JP Pretorius (63) was admitted to N17 Hospital with a chest infection at the end of October, he never thought he’d be discharged a week later with burn wounds.
The light above his bed burst and he sustained burn wounds to his chest.
The hospital treated his wounds, sent him a food parcel to apologise and offered to pay his medical bills related to the accident.
However, Pretorius is not satisfied and said he will take the matter further, as the hospital ‘refuses to pay for his pain and suffering’.
Also read: Delving into the past
• Fed-up pigs wanted
The Oink if you care project of the Springs Park Rotary Anns has reached the exciting phase where all the money from the well-fed pig is coming in.
Veritas Preparatory School handed over R931 and Selpark Primary School handed over R1 033.
Rotary Ann Louise Schapp handed over a certificate to Veritas head boy Filipe Fernandes and head girl Mampu Mogafe.
The money raised will be given to feeding schemes operating in Geduld.