Marie Avenue is a danger for motorists
A NEW angle to the dangers of driving on Marie Avenue has risen.
Following the article, Parkmore’s barely visible stop signs endanger motorists’ lives, week ending 13 September, Parkmore resident Rita Cool said, “The main problem on Marie Avenue does not appear to be with the stop streets.”
She said the big problem was with the palisade fence next to the George Lea Park parking lot. Cool explained that the way in which the fence curved to follow the widened road off Sandton Drive was what made it impossible for motorists to see the cars travelling North on Marie Avenue from Sandton Drive.
“The road kinks just a few metres away from the intersection with 6th Street,” explained Cool. “The angle makes the palisade fence appear solid, and then the cars coming around the bend of the fence suddenly appear.”
Ward 90 councillor Gordon Mackay said Johannesburg City Parks had considered moving the fence back. “City Parks does not have the budget at present,” he said.
“Residents are not reporting these issues via the call centre to the city, which means that the issue continues to have a low level of importance.
He said Parkmore Community Association’s Brian Robertson had been talking to the current lease holders at Sandton Sports Club to see if joint action could be taken by the association and the club to move the fence should the permission be granted by City Parks.
Cool added, “Not only that, but there are several trees blocking the view of cars trying to get into Marie Avenue.”
Mackay said he wrote to the Johannesburg Roads Agency about Cool’s concerns. “It is hoped that the roads agency will make budget available for some kind of traffic calming intervention such as speed humps or the narrowing of the intersection,” said Mackay.
“The agency will need to determine the appropriate intervention.”
Aleisha Tissen, acting spokesperson for Johannesburg City Parks said, “The complaint has been forwarded to the relevant regional manager and we will be attending to the matter soon.”
Sam Modiba spokesperson for the Johannesburg Roads Agency said, “JRA went to inspect and discovered a resident’s tree is hanging from the fence and blocking the stop sign. City Parks has been contacted to assist with the removal of the tree and we’ll keep on following on the matter.”
