An exposed Eskom cable can be seen on Victoria Avenue.
Update 19 January, 1pm
Victoria Avenue in Parkmore is deteriorating and is causing concern for both residents and the Parkmore Community Association.
The road has deteriorated to such an extent that Eskom cables are now exposed.
It was further highlighted by Kate Wardle, of the association, that the Johannesburg Roads Agency and Eskom were both shifting the blame on who is responsible for the damage.
Bertha Peters-Scheepers, spokesperson for the agency, sent an update on 17 January and said, “The agency team has inspected the site and found an electricity cable that was incorrectly installed.
“Eskom has been instructed to reinstall the power cable according to the way leave standard of the 800mm minimum cover for services and to fully reinstate the road as a matter of extreme urgency.”
Peters-Scheepers added that the agency would make sure that the site is re-inspected to ensure due processes have been followed and standards adhered to so that the road is safe for public passage.
Initial Story 16 January, 11.48am
Victoria Avenue in Parkmore is literally falling apart and this has concerned both residents and the Parkmore Community Association (PCA).
The road surface has disintegrated to the point where Eskom cables running beneath the surface of the road are exposed. The damage is most severe at the corner of Victoria Avenue and 6th Street
Water gathers along Victoria Avenue, next to an exposed Eskom cable.
Bronwyn Mcbean lives on this corner and unfortunately has had to deal with this issue on a daily basis. She explained, “It is so difficult to get out of my own house. I have already had to replace a damaged tyre. Any day now one of my guests is going to damage their car on this road.”
She expressed concern with regards to the exposed Eskom cables. “What would happen if something hit one of these cables? This could be potentially hazardous.”
Kate Wardle who is the chairperson of the PCA added, “Since October last year, residents have reported the issues on Victoria Avenue to the PCA and we have reported it to the City. Initially, it was thought to be as a result of the fibre installation but fibre was not put into the roadway so it can only be from Eskom.”
Wardle alleged that between the Johannesburg Roads Agency and Eskom, no organisation will accept responsibility. This is based on correspondence that Wardle has had with the organisations for the past few months.
She said, “[The roads agency] can’t fix the road until Eskom fixes the cables and both keep referring the residents and the PCA, to the other. It would be fantastic to see these bodies working more closely together in the future so that residents do not have to chase them for months.”
She is deeply concerned about the road and said the exposed cables and the state of the road are truly shocking and need to be rectified urgently. “I would like to see the whole road re-tarred rather than patched.”
The road’s agency spokesperson, Bertha Peters-Scheepers said, “Thank you for alerting us [on the state of Victoria Avenue]. We will conduct a site inspection and revert back with the findings.” This comment was given to the Sandton Chronicle on 13 January and the publication is still waiting for an update on the inspection.
When the Sandton Chronicle contacted Eskom for a comment on the matter, the issue was referred back to the roads agency.
