Funding constraints have delayed the replacement of the traffic signal-controlled junction with a roundabout junction on the Khami Road-Masiyephambili Drive intersection, the local authority has said.
The intersection had become a black spot and an outcry from residents forced council to come up with road safety engineering measures to reduce accidents.
The residents had called on the council to put speed humps to force motorists to reduce speed.
According to a recent report on the environment management and engineering services committee on Masiyephambili drive and Khami road intersection, the local authority revealed that the preliminary assessment was not progressed due to funding constraints.
“The Acting Director of Engineering Services reported (8th December, 2022) that preliminary assessment for the Khami road/Masiyephambili drive intersection was undertaken 3 years ago with a view to replacing the traffic signal controlled junction with a roundabout junction,” read the council minutes.
“However, due to funding constraints, the preliminary assessment was not progressed to detailed design and subsequent implementation of the proposal.”
Instead, council would install rumble strips as soon as the bituminous material was available.
Meanwhile, the acting Director of Engineering Services, Engineer Sikhumbuzo Ncube said the local authority was facing a challenge pertaining to vandalism of Tower Lights and Street lights.
“Theft of Tower Light control boxes and poles had reached alarming levels. Street lights were hit by stones thereby damaging the light bulbs,” read the minutes.
Engineer Ncube called for the formation of neighborhood watch committees in order to safeguard council infrastructure.
“Public awareness campaigns were necessary in order to enlighten residents on the importance of taking care and managing the public lighting system.”
Discussing the matter, Alderman Monica Lubimbi raised concern that neighborhood watch teams twould not cover the whole area at one time, therefore the vandals would take advantage of the unguarded places.
Ward 22 Councilor Rodney Jele suggested that Council should invest on cameras and also look at the issue of using boosters installed by cellular companies for tower lights.
