Centurion ‘road of rack and ruin’

A Centurion councillor has vowed to have roads in his area fixed following an accident where learners were hurt.

The R114, also known as Tulip/Mnandi Road was an arterial route linking Sandton, Randburg and Fourways to Pretoria West.

On Monday morning, a school bus carrying learners met an accident on the road, leaving the passengers with minor injuries.

Ward 48 councilor, Kingsley Wakelin, called it the road of rack and ruin.

The councilor promised never to stop until the road was repaired. He escalated his complaint to the provincial legislature to ensure that the matter received the attention it required.

Wakelin said he attended a meeting with the school and parents of the learners and had requested the Tshwane metro police (TMPD) and the SAPS to investigate the matter properly.

“The R55 from Pretoria West cannot handle all the traffic and is gridlocked at the N14 off ramp in the mornings and afternoons,” he said.

Wakelin added this resulted in motorists using the dilapidated R114 towards Sandton as an alternative.

He further stated that the provincial department of roads and transport had been engaged several times to consider upgrading the road.

He said in the latest discussions, the department said that this road would not to be upgraded any time soon.

“This is very irresponsible and sad news indeed as we receive weekly complaints of the condition of the road and many vehicles have suffered damages” he said.

Wakelin was adamant that the one lane road was in an extremely bad condition with road markings not visible and very dangerous high shoulders that had damaged several vehicles recently.

“The potholes have been repaired on certain areas but the deterioration of the road requires a complete upgrade. There are no calming measures on the long stretches and especially with all the roads crossing the R114. Road marking have not been maintained for a very long time.”

Wakelin said the provincial department needed to urgently take responsibility for the maintenance and upgrade of the road.

“This matter has been reported numerous times and a meeting was held with the officials of the department already,” he said.

Source: https://rekordcenturion.co.za/113186/centurion-road-of-rack-and-ruin/