Remskoen puts brakes on residents

GEORGE NEWS - The state of Remskoen Road in Wilderness, a 2,5 km gravel road leading to the Map of Africa, is cause for concern, according to a number of residents living next to the road.

The main complaints include a lack of attention from the municipality to the upkeep of the road, speeding on the road which causes a fair amount of dust and the fact that this road, which is now considered a high-traffic route by residents and business owners, is in such a poor condition.

A few years ago, 20 of the households living next to the road signed a petition which was sent to the municipality to voice their concerns.

One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said cars are being damaged because of the poor state of the road.

"Residents have to complain to the George Municipality numerous times in order for the road to be graded, and then it is still not graded. I saw the grader up in the area on Saturday (3 June), but they only graded Whites Road. Remskoen Road is a high-traffic route with the Map of Africa being a tourist attraction. There is also a paragliding launch site," she said.

According to Jannie Koegelenberg, director of Civil Engineering Services, Remskoen Road is maintained by George Municipality on a grading schedule.

"Both Remskoen and Hansmoeskraal Road (in Pacaltsdorp) are our priority roads on the grading schedule." Remskoen Road makes up about 2% to 3% of the total distance of 90 km of gravel roads that the municipality needs to attend to.

He confirmed that the municipality receives complaints from residents who want the road upgraded to a permanent, hard surface. He described the current condition of the road as waterlogged due to the heavy rains. This makes it muddy and causes mud ruts.

Asked when Remskoen Road will be graded, Koegelenberg said all of their gravel roads took a knock from the good rains during the past few weeks.

"Our department is doing condition assessments of all roads. Thereafter, roads will be prioritised for blading based on their condition. We have started with grading on 2 June. There are a few wet spots that will need further interventions."

Remskoen Road in Wilderness has become a high-traffic road and needs more attention, according to residents. It leads to the Map of Africa and a paragliding launch site.

More maintenance

Another resident who has lived along Remskoen Road all his life, said the road is in dire need of more regular maintenance since it has become a high-traffic route with tourist attractions and businesses.

"Many more people use this road on a daily basis these days. In December the road becomes almost undrivable because of all the traffic. If they do not harden the road surface, they will have to resurface it with gravel. The municipality grades the road just before heavy rain, and then it is a muddy mess. They then leave it for weeks like that. I do not understand this logic."

According to this resident, who has also asked to speak anonymously, at least six residents of Remskoen Road regularly write to the municipality to complain about the matter. Read letters from residents on the letters page.

Residents and visitors have to carefully negotiate the road.