GEORGE NEWS - Vandalism of the fence running on the north side along the N2 between the Pacaltsdorp off-ramp and the Garden Route Mall remains a headache to authorities, as well as motorists, who daily witness pedestrians cross the busy highway.

Sections of the fence have been removed, some torn, and the bricks of a footpath running parallel to the fence are missing.

A website article by George Herald journalist Alida de Beer published on 15 September 2022, Destruction along the N2, highlights the fact that taxpayers will be footing the bill for repairs to the vandalised fence and paved walkway stretching over 8km.

The project by the SA National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) to erect the fence, lay paving and install security lighting in 2016 cost about R43m.

A concerned motorist wrote to George Herald, saying it seems that the situation is becoming worse. "Most of the bricks used for the footpath have been stolen or removed. The bricks are desirable for building, home use or retail value. Also, the wire security fence to stop pedestrians and cattle going onto or crossing the freeway is being vandalised and slowly removed." He is also concerned about pedestrians often being hit by cars on this stretch of road.

Huge patches of paving brick on the footpath along the fence are missing.

Sanral worries

For Sanral, the level of vandalism and theft of road infrastructure along the N2 in George is a cause of concern. Sanral Western Region manager Randall Cable said they have, over the last few years, repeatedly replaced fencing and paving, the cost of which diverts funds away from other necessary infrastructure investment. "We reiterate our appeal for communities to take pride and ownership of the infrastructure and report the perpetrators to the local authorities," said Cable.

The good news is that a new pedestrian walkway is underway, for which another type of building material will be used.

"We do try to create maximum opportunity for project participation through our road infrastructure upgrades and as such we have identified the footpath between Pacaltsdorp and Kraaibosch, along the N2, as a community development project," said Cable. "This means that local labour and subcontractors will be trained to build a new pedestrian walkway.

"Sanral is investigating the use of alternative material to mitigate the risk of theft and vandalism. The design of this project is currently being finalised and training is already underway."

Sanral did not respond to a specific question about the cost incurred so far with the repairs to the vandalised fence and walkway.

Motorists daily witness pedestrians cross the busy highway. These pedestrians carry fire wood they collected on the other side of the N2. Photos: Jacques du Toit

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