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The downtrodden state of the Memel Road has reached the point of near undrivable. Thankfully, however, there appears to be some hope for motorists.
In October 2021, the Newcastillian – Online News reported on a community-driven initiative aimed at addressing the condition of the Memel Road.
Memel farmers, led by Beukes Willemse, initially launched the project to fill and repair potholes on the R34 in the Memel area. The project was set to be completed in collaboration with the Free State Province Department of Roads to ensure all work is authorised.
Furthermore, at the launch of the project, the patriotic group highlighted that they required the public to assist them in acquiring the necessary tar/asphalt to fill the potholes.
To read the full article, click here.
With the teams injecting extreme effort into the project, and through the support of the community, by November 2021, the project witnessed the hardworking farmers and their staff having repaired a significant stretch of damaged road—spanning from Bothas Pass to Memel.
To read the full article, click here.
While the project started seeing vast improvements done to the road, work came to a halt due to the weather. However, now a few months on, Newcastillians can expect further maintenance to resume.
Willemse said that work officially commenced again on Thursday, 5 May 2022. “We first had to wait until the rainy season to end before we resumed work.”
Unfortunately, he noted that since the end of the recent torrential rain, the road’s condition has deteriorated even further, leaving the group of farmers with a formidable task. One that they are ready to tackle.
“We have now started working 3km outside of Memel, heading towards Newcastle. We have 25 tonnes of tar and will be doing as much work as possible with what we have.”
Taking each day as it comes, Willemse highlighted that community members were invited to contribute where possible.
“The repair work to the Memel Road is important as it is a busy road that impacts the economy of both Newcastle and Memel,” affirmed Willemse.
People who would like to assist in the mammoth task of restoring the Memel Road can contact Beukes Willemse on 082 254 2922 for further information.
With some great news to end the day, what are your thoughts Newcastillians?
Share your views in the comment section below.
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4 Responses
We must the farmers and public take the responsibility. We pay so many taxes. We should not pay the taxes and allocate our taxes to the farmers and public.
I am delighted at this news! Thank you to all involved. I would be keen to pay a private toll for using that road if we could ever get something like that off the ground…
Hi
This work is the task of provincial government. Why must local citizens help to repair roads.
The more help they receive the less government care repairing the roads.
That is why we are paying taxes for.
Stop helping!!!!!!
Agree on that topic, but road users do not want their loved ones killed while trying to use thevroad by car, or am I only a sentimental freak? We never use the road due to it’s condition. We nake use of the N11 to travel to PTA etc. Farmers fix the road for themselves to safe lifes and spare there cars from damages due to potholes I just wonder why nobody ask Carte Blanche to investigate why the Free State goverment refuses to fix the road.