Death highlights road dangers

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THE untimely death of Clem Morris ("Cyclist killed in hit-and-run", October 8) has once again highlighted the dangerous conditions of Kragga Kamma Road, which we, the Colleen Glen 2 Theescombe Residents Association, have brought to the attention of the authorities regularly. Our Ward 1 councillor, Stanford Slabbert, accompanied by an official from the provincial Roads Department, conducted an inspection in loco during July last year and Slabbert wrote to the provincial road engineer on July 12 last year, and I quote:

"These major roads are well past their lifespan and need to be upgraded and rebuilt, with wide shoulders etc. Road edges are breaking away, there are no emergency lanes and these roads deteriorate after even rainfall as potholes need to be repaired and the road structure has been damaged.

"Cycle lanes and pedestrian pavements need to be added. Please schedule these roads for urgent rebuilding/retarring: Kragga Kamma Road from the railway line to Cows Corner and Welcome Avenue/Chelsea Road."

He asked that the necessary work be implemented as soon as possible and requested confirmation of the time frames. Nothing has transpired regarding repairs/upgrading.

Slabbert's recommendations will ensure greater safety for motorists, cyclists and athletes who use Kragga Kamma Road and Welcome Avenue. The tragic death of an ambulance driver and that of Morris may well have been averted.

The Masters and Ladies Cycling Club of Port Elizabeth have drawn our attention once again to how dangerous Kragga Kamma Road is. Many cyclists make regular use of this road for training rides as it is one of three main roads that link the old regional services rural areas with the metro suburban roads.

The other two are Seaview Road and Cape Road, which are both wide with a yellow verge section, but Kragga Kamma is very narrow and in poor condition.

Many cycle races, including Port Elizabeth's premier cycling event, The Herald Cycle Tour, regularly make use of sections of Kragga Kamma Road and if this road is not improved it may place The Herald Cycle Tour in jeopardy in the future.

The cycling community and the metro cannot afford to lose this prestigious event.

Please, authorities in charge, do something before someone else loses his or her life.