Opinion

Southfield bridge is a hazard

Letter to the Editor|Published

Peter Pappas, Southfield Civic Association deputy chair

There was an accident on top of the bridge on Victoria Road in Southfield. A car lost control coming over at speed and hit the electrical light pole and the concrete wall of the bridge.

The electrical department removed the light pole and a metal strip was put over the wall to hold it in place. Over the years, however, despite this metal strip this portion of the wall has moved. The City's roads infrastructure management put two bollards there to cordon off the area.

This has become a health issue as people throw their rubbish, wrappers, dirty nappies, in between the bollard and the wall.

This accident occurred over 14 years ago. Emails and photos have been sent to the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa and to the ward councillor, Kevin Southgate, for this wall to be repaired. To date, nothing has happened.

This has become very dangerous now. If this piece of concrete wall falls, it could land on a car or train or pedestrian under the bridge and lead to death.

• Ward councillor Kevin Southgate responds:

The matter relating to the Southfield bridge has been of grave concern to me over several years.

I have reported it on several occasions over recent years and have been monitoring the movement of the damaged section.

I have engaged the executive director for urban mobility in the City, Dalene Campbell, who advised that they have been in contact with Prasa, which is responsible for the repairs.

I would suggest that you contact Prasa for additional comments.

• No response was received from Prasa by deadline.

Peter Pappas is pictured next to the bollards before the shifting portion of the bridge on Victoria Road in Southfield. Picture: Janice Matthews
Only a metal strip holds the wall in place after a road accident displaced a portion of it over 14 years ago. Picture: Janice Matthews
Litter chokes the gap between the bollard and the bridge wall. Picture: Janice Matthews