GEORGE NEWS - Olienhout Street, a short and narrow street in the Heather Park neighbourhood, has become a service road for the Heather Park shopping centre and is as a result carrying heavy vehicle traffic.
It should be maintained as such, but the municipality is not heeding complaints about the poor condition of the road, says Antjie Horak, one of the residents.
She points out a pothole that was reported in October last year that has not yet been repaired.
There are some other smaller potholes, and tar patches all over the road surface are testimony to numerous other potholes that had to be covered, much like many other streets in George.
"Because of the heavy vehicles, the road surface and curbs at the corners of the street are being damaged continually.
"The damaged patches are repaired, but in such a way that it does not last. We do not mind the traffic, but the municipality, that approved the shopping centre, has to maintain the road as a service road. This is not a residential road."
Acting director of Civil Engineering Services Henry Jansen said the matter has been submitted for inclusion in the Integrated Development Plan.
"The resealing of Olienhout Street, however, is currently estimated at R627 200 and due to financial constraints can at the earliest be accommodated on the 2019/2020 budget.
"There are numerous roads in Heather Park and the entire George with road surfaces considerably inferior to that of Olienhout Street.
"The directorate of Civil and Technical Services, with limited funding, is working according to a plan, prioritising resurfacing of roads across all 27 wards in George during the current financial year as well as the outer years."
Antjie Horak, Olienhout Street resident, says this pothole was reported to the municipality in October 2017.
Approximately R12-million is spent annually on maintenance and R13-million on resealing / rebuilding roads in George.
Asked how this figure compares with the actual need for satisfactory road maintenance, Jansen said, "The figure is based on what can be afforded, thus planning for maintenance is done accordingly."
Heavy delivery trucks damage the curb.
Ward 3 Councillor Erasmus de Villiers said a community feedback meeting about all matters in his ward will follow shortly after the next ward committee meeting on 26 February.
Complainants may contact him in this regard on 083 460 3822 or r.devilliers@mweb.co.za.
ARTICLE: ALIDA DE BEER, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST
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