Sinkhole starts on Murchison Street, signals urgent need for infrastructure repairs

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23-09-2024
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New Castillian News
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Newcastle’s Murchison Street is a vital artery for the daily lives of many Newcastillians, winding through the town’s CBD. From taxis ferrying passengers commuting to their jobs, and parents on school runs, it’s a road that countless people rely on. But alarmingly, just metres from the Newcastle Municipal Offices, a section of this key road began collapsing, creating what could only be described as a growing sinkhole, posing a threat to motorists travelling along this busy route.

The trouble began on Thursday evening, 19 September 2024, when cracks started to appear, with the road surface slowly sinking.

By Friday morning, 20 September 2024, the damage had worsened dramatically. What had initially seemed like sagging tar had begun turning into a crater, widening and deepening. As a result, a concerned resident took matters into their own hands, moving a large rock in front of the hole in a desperate attempt to prevent unsuspecting motorists from driving into the hazard.

Worryingly, this marks the second road starting to collapse in a single week. Just days earlier, on 9 September 2024, Drakensberg Drive experienced a similar situation. As reported by Newcastillian News, a section of the left-hand lane near the Pick n Pay Family store collapsed, leaving residents anxious about their roads’ safety until the Newcastle Municipality addressed the issue.

Adding to this, while these collapsing roads are already causing concern, a horrific collision on Friday morning, 20 September 2024, on Marconi Drive, could have been avoided if not for the damaged road.

A motorist, trying to avoid one of the numerous potholes riddling the road, collided with a motorcyclist. The poor condition of Newcastle’s streets is not just a daily inconvenience—it has become a physical danger.

Furthermore, the situation has also reached a critical point for emergency medical services. As stated by EMS, Newcastle’s crumbling roads are putting lives at risk, particularly when ambulances attempt to navigate these hazardous routes.

Charles Steyn of Magenta Emergency Medical Services described the impact the roads are having on patients.

“In certain parts of town where the road conditions are the worst, our vehicles shake terribly. We’re not even driving at 60km; even at 20km or 40km, the patients feel it, and it’s especially bad for those who are traumatised,” he stated, adding that the roads en route to Madadeni Hospital are equally treacherous.

Steyn advocated for the urgent need for inspectors to monitor and ensure that road maintenance is carried out properly, emphasising that safety should always be the top priority. His concern mirrors that of many residents, as the pothole-ridden roads have been a longstanding issue in Newcastle. With each passing day, the question grows louder—what action will the Newcastle Municipality take to address the town’s deteriorating road conditions?

In June 2024, the Newcastle Municipality announced its approved budget for the 2024/2025 financial year.

It was revealed that R56.1 million had been allocated to road and stormwater infrastructure. However, with the collapse of roads like Murchison Street and Drakensberg Drive, residents are left wondering whether this budget will be enough to halt the town’s crumbling roads.

Speaking on behalf of the Newcastle Municipality, Executive Committee Member, Cllr Faizel Cassim, offered reassurances that efforts are well underway to repair the roads. “We are currently securing the necessary funding from grants to address the roads in Newcastle,” he explained.

Yet, with the rainy season now upon us, Cllr Cassim acknowledged the increasing urgency for repairs. “My concern is that if a small pothole forms and it’s left unattended, once it starts raining, the water will erode the pothole further, making it larger. It’s vital that we address these issues and ensure that stormwater drains are cleared to prevent them from overflowing and causing even more damage to our roads.”