Bumpy road ahead for Mkondeni businesses

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17-04-2024
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The Witness
Source

Businesses forced to patch up damaged roads to continue operations.

Heavy and unusual volumes of traffic coupled with incomplete, shoddy road repairs have left businesses in Mkondeni patching up the roads to continue operating.

The state of the roads is also threatening to become a deterrent for international investors who visit factories in the growing industrial hub.

Roads such as Yarborough and Shorts Retreat in Mkondeni are among the many roads that have been severely damaged over the years.

A business manager in Yarborough Road, Kieran Lombard said they have been operating in the area for 10 years and since they moved into the area, the roads have deteriorated.

“We have been patching our driveway regularly to get in and out of the property,” said Lombard.

He said in the last few weeks attempts have been made to fix the road, but there are sections which remain incomplete.

Meanwhile, another business on Yarborough Road is not only concerned about the road, but mainly the dust that comes along with it.

Wayne Schwulst, the owner of Tyre Magic, said for his business to operate, they need a dust-free environment, which has been a huge concern for them since the road has been dug up for repairs, which are yet to be carried out.

“We generate revenue for the city and pay our rates on time as businesses, but the conditions under which we operate are unacceptable and do not reflect what we pay as business owners,” said Schwulst.

“These parts of the road which have not been repaired have sections of tar which have been dug up, resulting in motorists having to drive in the oncoming traffic lane to avoid the dug up 10m to 20m patches,” said Lombard.

Keith Bennett, operations manager at H&M Rollers, situated on Shorts Retreat Road, said in his road there is approximately 30m of dug-up tar, which has not affected his business directly, but the road users at large.

Tracy Robinson, of Natal Associated Chemicals, situated on Yarborough Road said hundreds of large trucks pass by their business daily.

My biggest concern is the trucks, as the roads are becoming terrible for both light motor vehicle and heavy motor vehicles.

“I fear this road is an accident waiting to happen,” said Robinson.

Joseph Hativagone, manager of Mercor Shavings in Yarborough Road, said his business attracts international visitors, and the road conditions are an eyesore.

Meanwhile, the councillor for Mkondeni (ward 36) Douglas Roberts said the paying businesses in this area deserve much more than unsurfaced roads in the middle of a growing economic industrial hub.

“Trying to grow an industry with international visitors coming to check your factory, and being exposed to unpaved, pothole-ridden roads with leaking sewers is certainly not conducive to growing the area and getting added investment into the city,” said Roberts.

“Why would anyone want to invest in an area that seemingly has zero service delivery from the municipality?” asked Roberts.

The Msunduzi Municipality Deputy Mayor and chairperson of infrastructure services portfolio committee Mxolisi Mkhize said there is currently an upgrade on the N3 which has caused heavier than usual traffic in these areas.

“It is important to note that Sanral has engaged with businesses in the Mkondeni area about these roadworks in advance and we have plans in place to maintain the roads [in collaboration with Sanral] which are heavily impacted, such as Yarborough Road and Shorts Retreat Road,” said Mkhize.

He said the municipality has conducted bilateral meetings with the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business (PMCB) every three months, where issues regarding road maintenance have been brought up.

“We will address this issue and present our strategy at the next meeting,” said Mkhize.