|

Disaster awaits dangerous Benoni intersections – AfriForum demands immediate action

AfriForum is calling on the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality and the Gauteng government to urgently repair the traffic lights at six busy intersections in Benoni, which have been out of order for almost a year. This causes severe traffic congestion and frequent accidents, is a safety risk for motorists and pedestrians, and increases travel time by approximately 50 minutes.

AfriForum made this request in a letter to the Ekurhuleni Metro and the provincial government on 30 September after the organisation received numerous complaints from the community about the traffic lights not working. The problem has been reported to the relevant authorities several times, but no action has been taken. Some of these intersections flow onto major routes leading to the N17, R21, Pretoria, the East Rand and O.R. Tambo International Airport. These traffic lights are mainly located in Brentwood Park on Great North Road where it intersects with High Road, Stanley Road, West Street and Deodar Street. The traffic lights on the corner of Atlas Road and Elgin Street, as well as Louisa and High Road, have also been out of order for about a year. In the meantime, a local business recently paid for the repairs to the traffic lights at Great North and Louisa Road, which had also not been working for a long time.

Since certain intersections (such as High Road) fall under the jurisdiction of the Gauteng government and others under the jurisdiction of the Metro, AfriForum requests that the necessary steps be taken, including proper liaison between the relevant departments, to repair these intersections without further delay. Although the Metro has made efforts to replace traffic lights in the CBD, Brentwood Park’s intersections remain a nightmare.

Moreover, with the December holidays ahead, this crisis must be considered a priority, the letter states. The Brentwood Park community has been pleading for intervention for long enough, therefore AfriForum demands that the Metro and the Gauteng government provide an action plan within 14 days of receipt of this letter that outlines the immediate steps to be taken, the responsible officials and the precise timelines according to which the relevant intersections and road infrastructure will be repaired.

“The maintenance of intersections on provincial routes is of crucial importance because it carries heavy traffic. When traffic lights are out of order, it increases traffic volume and the risk of serious accidents. How long must the community ask for help before someone intervenes? The Metro and provincial government are clearly failing in their duties, which is why AfriForum will apply pressure until these traffic lights are repaired,” says Nadia Olckers, AfriForum’s District Coordinator for the East Rand.

Visit www.wordlid.co.za for more information on how to support AfriForum’s Benoni Branch’s projects or contact the branch directly on 084 976 1234.

Similar Posts

#OnsSalSelf