GEORGE NEWS - A Wilderness Heights resident is worried about a municipal project that entails the paving of a portion of Erica Road.

Michael Leggatt says the lack of public participation is both disturbing and concerning. 

"Paving is better suited to an urban environment, particularly clustered, security developments, and does not align with the rural sense of place. The re-surfacing of the entire road should have been discussed, rather than paving such a short distance."

In response, George Municipality's Acting Director for Civil Engineering Services Lindsay Mooiman said the contractor is currently marking the construction area, after which the position of existing services such as water pipelines and electricity cables will be established. 

"Services are exposed in certain places so that the contractor knows where these services are situated and can protect them from accidental damage during construction work," said Mooiman. Exposing the services also aids pre-construction planning.

"A notice will be hand-delivered to all directly affected properties, shortly before construction takes place, and residents will be informed of any disruptions and the necessary precautionary measures. The municipality must maintain and upgrade municipal services as part of its core responsibilities."

Costs and needs

On a question about the project cost and reason for spending it on paving when there might be more pressing needs in the community, Mooiman said for many years George Municipality has been implementing a programme to eradicate gravel roads and has addressed many kilometres, specifically in previously disadvantaged areas. 

"There is still a significant backlog and with the limited funding available the municipality plans the projects to ensure that various wards benefit and that not all funding is allocated to a specific area.

There have been numerous public complaints about the lack of municipal funding allocated to Wilderness Heights, and even more, complaints are received about the various gravel roads and the municipality's lack of maintaining/upgrading these roads. The municipality's investment in this project is approximately R1,6-million."

Mooiman said Erica Road is one of the roads in Wilderness that requires more frequent maintenance, due to the poor sub-base material. Gravel roads in areas further from George Central are more costly to maintain as plants and equipment must travel longer distances.

"Capital projects also generate local labour opportunities, benefitting poor households within the affected ward. Paving roads are more labour intensive than asphalt roads and the local community will benefit from the labour opportunities."

What's happening next?

The project involves the paving of the first portion of Erica Road from Heights Road to where the road divides, on the boundaries of portions 328 and 365. This is approximately 420m and includes a kerb edging on either side of the road.

Construction is planned to commence after 8 August. "To date, various residents have conveyed their support for the upgrade, while only one strong objection has been received," said Mooiman.

Erica Road will be paved up to the fork.

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