Getting real about Durban Road

E-mail your letter to The Herald

MAY I respond to an SMS by "Realistic" in The Herald of 25 January?

I am as concerned, and more so, about Durban Road, as is "Realistic". Not only the fruit and veg stall in the parking lot is of concern, but all the stalls in the area. Believe me, this concerns me far more than do the Afcon ticket sales.

At least Durban Road has been cleaned, at night, since 1992 through my intervention, and with the assistance of Bobby Stevenson, MPL, who was a city councillor at the time.

As far as stall holders are concerned, meetings have been held with various directorates in the metro since 2007, and also with the SA Police Services, in an attempt to bring some sanity to the area.

Where out of order street lights are concerned I, together with a volunteer, and often with my wife, ride after dark throughout the ward to determine which lights are not functioning.

This includes Durban Road.

Each lamp post serial number is noted and documented; in cases where no serial number is visible, I note the exact location and prepare a spreadsheet which I forward to an electricity department official for action, which simplifies the job. Owing to staff shortages, streets/areas need to be prioritised for work to be done.

There is a paper trail for all the above, and I suggest if "Realistic" has the courage to make himself or herself known, please feel welcome to visit my office where I can show you what I, and some of the officials, are trying to do to cope with all these issues. It must be borne in mind that the officials' hands are tied due to budget constraints and the financial crisis in which we find ourselves. This is exacerbated by incompetent decisions taken by the ruling party prior to the 2010 World Cup – and indeed more so since that event.

Please do not hesitate to contact me, should you decide to take up this offer.