RUSTENBURG HERALD - RUSTENBURG - Residents of a certain extension in the vicinity of Kruger and Zand Streets in town have recently complained to Rustenburg Herald at the lack of “action” by DA Ward Councillors after a petition to intervene and to put up more stop signs (a four-way crossing instead of two-way crossing on the corner of Kruger and Zand Street) was apparently “ignored”.
Rustenburg Herald spoke to Cllr Gert du Plessis (Ward Councillor for Ward 14) about the background of the crossing in question and what the procedures around special requests on road infrastructure entails.
“Residents who are requesting speed calming measures/speed humps, additional stop signs and such, should prepare a written motivation/petition clearly indicating why and where the speed humps are requested. The petition must be signed by all surrounding residents who are requesting this and who may be affected by the speed humps”, Cllr Du Plessis said. “At this stage the intention is to limit the number of speed humps, also keeping in mind that most of the speed humps are not erected according to prescribed specifications and are not properly marked/painted/maintained. Before or during the process of making crucial decisions on the issue, residents must also remember to consider the interests of other residents who may be desperately opposed to the introduction of speed humps and such. “We have experienced more than one incident wherein the majority of residents in some Wards/areas have requested that infrastructure that have been put up at the request of other disgruntled residents, were to be removed - resulting in fruitless expenditure for the Rustenburg Municipality,” Du Plessis said.
However if/when a signed request/petition is received, it needs to be submitted to the relevant Directorates after which a site inspection by the Directorate of Public Safety will follow and if the request is approved, these speed humps/infrastructure will be introduced by the Roads Department if and when the budget allows. It needs to be emphasised that no Ward Councillor may influence the request for or against the introduction of speed humps, but if approved, he/she may accompany the Roads Department to the specific area to determine exactly where the humps need to be introduced.
