Water leak a safety threat on busy street

This huge hole on the corner of Mount Road and Nightingale Road is a huge headache for residents and joggers in Mount Croix. Photos:supplied

The failed repair of a water leak in Mount Croix has turned into a nightmare for residents.

Not only is fresh water still freely flowing from the leak on the corner of Mount Road and Nightingale Road, but in their efforts to repair it, the municipality reportedly dug a huge hole and almost a year later, it hasn’t been filled.

Concerned and frustrated resident, Hugh Davidson, said that he had reported the leak to the municipality in February last year.

“They came in May and dug a hole to find the source of the leakage, but the hole has turned into a safety hazard for people walking up Mount Road,” Davidson said.

The hole poses a safety threat as it is not only found on a very busy street but those walking on the pavement now have to walk in the street to pass the hole.

Being a very busy road with constantly flowing traffic, Mount Road not only has a lot of motorists travelling through, but also seems to be quite a popular spot for joggers.

However, since the huge hole, filled to the brim with clean water, was dug in the pavement, joggers and others walking on the pavement, including children, now have to swerve around the hole and put themselves in harm’s way by entering the street.

“I have witnessed a man in a wheelchair trying to get past the hole. He had to leave the pavement and go onto the road to pass.

“On Monday I also saw a street dweller washing his clothes in the hole,” Davidson explained.

There was an incident where a street dweller not only washed his clothes but also himself in this hole for everyone to see.

According to Davidson, he had reported this matter, but nobody had yet come to fix the leak.

“The water is running down Mount Road and it is fresh water. This is what we get for paying rates and taxes,” he added.

Ward Councillor, Dries van der Westhuy­zen, said that he had numerous complaints about the leak during the past week and subsequently went to the site to inspect the hole. He also spoke to the supervisor in charge about repairing the leak and filling up the hole.

Street dwellers now wash themselves and their clothes in the hole that is filled to the brim with fresh water flowing down Mount Road.

“When I went there on Friday, there were people on site. I can’t say that they repaired the leak because it’s not fixed yet, but they did some work there. The hole is now much more exposed as it wasn’t very visible before and it has been cordoned off.

“I also saw that gravel was delivered, perhaps to fill up the hole, but it hasn’t been done yet,” he explained

Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality spokesperson, Mthubanzi Mniki, said that officials were on the scene last week to work on the leak. “I have spoken to them and they will attend to the work before the end of the week,” Mniki said.