Frustration grows over delayed repairs to Esenembe and Glendale roads

Tags

---

26-02-2025
Read : 73 times
North Coast Courier
Source

Businesses and residents urge Sanral to accelerate critical roadwork as infrastructure concerns mount.

Residents and business owners are frustrated due to the slow progress of the work done to repair P103, known as the Esenembe Road.

A contractor has been appointed by The South African National Roads Agency SOC Ltd (SANRAL) to repair the P103. Work is underway on at least seven washaways and the stabilisation of the causeway bridge. However, residents remain concerned about when repairs to the collapsed main bridge will start.

The situation has grown critical, especially with fears that the P104 (Glendale Road) may collapse entirely due to a massive sinkhole near Shayamoya township, which would block the entire lane. The road is vital for diesel tankers supplying the Avon Peaking Plant.

Businesses and residents are calling for urgent action to prevent further economic and infrastructural damage, urging authorities to intensify their efforts.

Cobus Oelofse, CEO of the iLembe Chamber of Commerce, expressed concerns about both the P103 and P104 roads, which are crucial for tourism and industry.

“The iLembe Chamber remains deeply concerned about the ongoing state of the P103 and P104 roads and the delays in their repair. Nearly three years after the 2022 floods, essential repairs, including addressing road subsidence, remain incomplete. Frustrated chamber members have had to fund and construct infrastructure, such as the causeway bridge over the Mhlali River, to keep businesses operational and support employees. However, these efforts have seen little reciprocation,” said Oelofse.

Chris McDaniel from Rain Farm highlighted the significant financial losses caused by the ongoing road issues.

“The washaways on the P103-1 and P104 have caused immense financial damage to everyone who accesses the bridge to transport sugarcane and macadamias to the various depots. Rain Farm and other businesses have been affected dramatically. We estimate in the region of 45% year-on-year loss in turnover. Coupled with the inconsistency in power supply, the area is vulnerable,” said McDaniel.

Concerns have also been raised about the lack of direction in the execution of repairs, with suspicions that the contractor may be prolonging the project timeline. Poor water flow planning downstream has required additional work, including pumping trenches dry after heavy rainfall.

To accelerate the repairs, McDaniel suggested that SANRAL adopt a clear plan to prioritise completing one or two tasks fully before moving on.

“They should hire more workers and equipment under proper supervision and work weekends, weather permitting, to make up for lost time,” he said.

SANRAL had not responded by the time of going to print.