Roads agency backtracks on resumption of N2 toll fees
The resumption of toll fees at the oThongati and uMvoti plazas has been postponed
Motorists who regularly travel on the N2 between Zululand and the Durban area can breathe a sigh of relief as the resumption of toll fees at the oThongati and uMvoti plazas has been suspended pending further consultations.
This follows a meeting on Tuesday between the South African National Roads Agency (Sanral), led by chairman of the board Themba Mhambi, CEO Reginald Demana, the KZN government, as well as local government leaders, where the resumption of collection of toll fees was discussed.
Sanral suspended toll fees at the two plazas last April ‘to ease the economic burden on communities already hard hit by loss of property and livelihoods as a result of the devastating floods that swept through KZN at the time’.
The roads agency, however, announced last week that motorists will resume paying toll fees at the two affected plazas as of 1 February, a move that was heavily criticised by KwaDukuza Mayor Lindile Nhaca as ‘hasty’.
“The reintroduction of the tariffs could only add unnecessary pressure to provincial roads and bridges that are due for repairs by the department,” said Nhaca.
Nhaca submitted a written submission to Sanral, rejecting the plans to reinstate the toll fee payments.
“While we appreciate the significant progress achieved on the M4 in easing the congestion that was experienced at the aftermath of the floods, we equally wish to extend our heartfelt concern on your hasty consideration to reinstate the payment of toll fees at Umvoti Toll Plaza in the knowledge that the alternative route (R102) linking KwaDukuza and eThekwini has not yet been fully restored,” she said.
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