Large parts of Lukannon Drive in Strandfontein has been reclaimed by the beach. The parts that are not completely covered by sand are riddled with potholes and erosion. In several sections the sand heaps obstructing the road are so high that it is level or higher than the surrounding dunes.
The critical state of the road, which Strandfontein Ward Councillor Elton Jansen says is a vital thoroughfare for residents and emergency services alike, has been a regular but perpetually unresolved item on the Subcouncil 12 agenda.
Jansen, who chairs the subcouncil, has escalated the issue to the Spatial Planning and Environment Portfolio.
“Lukannon Drive is a very important road for the local community. This road is frequently used by Saps, Law Enforcement and other emergency services including the NSRI who use the road to respond to emergencies on the coastline,” Jansen said.
Stuck issue
Strandfontein Community Police Forum chair Sandy Schuter has backed this statement.
“We got stuck in the sand whilst patrolling that area,” she told the TygerBurger.
Jansen said this is a regular occurrence.
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“The road is covered with sand frequently, which has seen many vehicles stuck in the sand . This is very dangerous especially at night. I have for more than 10 years along with CPF and ratepayers association fought with the City to upgrade that road,” he said.
Classification
The difficulty is that the road falls within a nature reserve and is classified as a service road by the department of Urban Mobility, which means that maintenance would fall under the Biodiversity Branch. Jansen said: “The Biodiversity Branch does not have the expertise nor the budget to maintain roads.”
He also pointed out inconsistencies in the City’s approach, citing the example of Firgrove Service Road in Bergvliet, which is maintained by Urban Mobility despite a similar classification. He also added that no such classification exists under the National Road Traffic Act 93 of 1996.
Committee action and future developments
The matter remains on the Spatial Planning and Environment Portfolio’s Matters Receiving Attention agenda. Jansen has committed to also keeping the issue on the subcouncil agenda until it is resolved.
The Spatial Planning and Environment Portfolio Committee has escalated the matter to the Municipal Manager requesting proper ownership and classification for Lukannon Drive, alongside the connected roads Nautilus and Camp.
“I am of the opinion that the road needs to be re-aligned away from the dunes where the ground is more stable. The road cannot be closed because it is a critical road especially during peak hours,” Jansen said.
The 16km road, which stretches from Mnandi Beach in Rocklands to Strandfontein Pavilion, includes several access points to lifesaving clubhouses, recreation fishing spots, and beaches such as Blue Waters and Strandfontein.
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