Apprehension grows regarding road safety along the Normandien Road as its condition continues to degrade, prompting worries among commuters and locals alike.
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Newcastillian News first shed light on the alarming state of the road on 18 January 2024, underscoring the perilous journey motorists undertake to reach destinations such as Ntshingwayo (Chelmsford) Dam or Normandien.
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The dire situation prompted local farmer Bertus Pretorius to take matters into his own hands, initiating repair efforts along the road to safeguard travellers.
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However, Pretorius’ endeavours hit a roadblock after officials from the roads department intervened, halting his repairs. Pretorius, who had already utilised 12 truckloads of tar in his restoration efforts, disclosed that he was instructed to cease work by the KZN Department of Transport, which was allegedly preparing to commence restoration from 5 February 2024.
Nevertheless, the anticipated intervention did not materialise, leaving sections of the road reverting to their dilapidated state, exacerbated by heavy truck traffic.
“The roads are not meant for all the heavy vehicles travelling along it. The trucks are becoming an issue, and someone is going to be killed on the road due to the conditions. The road is a hazard,” voiced Pretorius, echoing concerns shared by a local businessman who opted to remain anonymous.
“The road is a disgrace. People have been killed on it already and there is school transport that travels with children on a regular basis on the road,” stated the businessman, adding that he had also complained to the Department of Transport.
With conditions worsening and lives at risk, the local businessman emphasised it had become essential for the government to take steps before more lives were endangered and lost.
Moreover, Newcastle Municipality’s Councillor Faizel Cassim previously acknowledged the road’s jurisdiction falling under the municipality while emphasising the KZN Department of Transport’s responsibility for maintenance. Reflecting on recent developments, Cassim assured efforts to engage the Department for repairs were in full swing.
“We are currently waiting for more information from the Department, but things look good so far that they will be repairing the road,” stressed Cassim, highlighting ongoing efforts to address the pressing issue.
With the Newcastle Municipality in meetings with the necessary officials to repair the road and residents voicing their concerns over its deplorable conditions, what are your thoughts on the above-mentioned? Share your views in the comment section below.
Comments 14
When will the municipality fo something about the road?
I lost 3 wheels in 2 weeks time on that road, I use that road everyday
Are they going to wait until someone gets killed before they fix it?
The condition of that road is despicable. Really deplorable, and absolutely a huge danger to any and all traveller’s. The fact that a private citizen actually took initiative, used his own funds to help the community as a whole, and was stopped is another disgrace to the dept of roadworks. This needs to be addressed urgently before lives are lost.
The road from Boths Pass to Vrede have been poorly been repaired for pass 10 years, by useing contracter that got no knowlege of road works, by filling the potholls with sand in the raining sesson ?? Why is that the road from Newcastle to Botha Pass is fine,
lol if the community fixes the roads with their own money then nobody will the tender!!!😃
Then nobody can steal.
Wow. This gov is actively trying to destroy our livelihoods, even when we tey to help them. Dont vote for them.
“We are currently waiting for more information from the Department, but things look good so far that they will be repairing the road,” stressed Cassim, highlighting ongoing efforts to address the pressing issue. And in the meantime, the public using this road is at a huge risk of having an accident, which could take lives. Mr. Cassim is correct, they will repair the road, but WHEN, is the real question. Just like the damaged sluice gates. 2 years on!!!!!!!!!!! Pathetic.
“With the Newcastle Municipality in meetings with the necessary officials to repair the road”….. You know what the definition of a “meeting” is???? “It’s a productive way to waste time, and make no effort.” Meetings won’t fix the road, or compensate people for their losses.
This municipality needs psychiatric assessment. So out of touch with reality…..
Can our government please start delivering on the basics! You take our taxes and we don’t see any service delivery.
Water, electricity, roads are basics we should get according to our constitution.
All we see are civil servants getting fatter and fatter with round Shiney faces shuffling their feet when they walk.
No energy eminating from our politicians. Small wonder we are where we are.
Viva farmer. You did great !!!
The state of our roads is a disgrace infact is a joke, you see people from the department filling potholes with sand , yet some one is sitting with monies for reparing the road ,
Our government is failing us big-time
They don’t even put road signs to alert that they are potholes
🗑
Unbelievable, really unbelievable, first they allow the road to deteriorate up to this point ,then stop somebody who volunteers to do the job for them. I agree it is all about tenders ,then they won’t be able to award tenders to their cronies.And then somebody still votes for them .Its disgusting.
Please Just get rid of these delusional cadres ,your chance in May.