Council call to upgrade Overport hub
ELIX Dlamini (Brickfield) Road, in Overport, has undergone rapid development over the years, and today has become a sprawling mixed business and residential hub.
Although this is an encouraging sign for the economy of the area, crippling congestion, lack of parking, unsafe pedestrian spaces, unattractive street landscaping, crumbling side roads, dirty streets and a lack of informal trading spots continue to plague part of the long stretch of road.
Christopher Pappas, who was elected ward 31 councillor during last year’s local government elections, said the portion of road from near Malls Tiles to the intersection of Moses Kotane (Sparks) and Felix Dlamini roads was revamped, but only half the battle had been won.
He is now determined to ensure the rest of the road, from the busy intersection down towards Alpine Road, was also spruced up.
Pappas would like the road to be widened, an island built, new drainage installed, bollards installed and the street lights updated.
He said that although he welcomed the growth and encouraged development, they had to ensure the city kept up with the developmental needs of any particular area.
But Thekwini Municipality’s head of communications, Tozi Mthethwa, said there were no plans to upgrade Felix Dlamini Road, north of Moses Kotane Road.
Pappas said the section, which had not been revamped, was often chaotic and as a result there was almost a daily occurrence of accidents.
A few minutes later, the POST team observed an elderly man being knocked, while attempting to manoeuvre between drivers hellbent on not being stuck behind vehicles parked illegally on the roadside.
“It is important for the city to remember that while we must develop previously-disadvantaged areas like uMlazi, Hammarsdale or Umgababa, for example, we must not neglect the areas that generate the rates that fund upgrades to the aforementioned areas.
“After all, more rates income means more money to improve the lives of the poor,” said Pappas.
“Part of the responsibility of a good and responsive government is to facilitate and support development in an orderly and sustainable manner. In this regard, the city is lagging behind. The Overport area has been severely neglected over the years and this has begun to show.”
Pappas said he had been engaging with various departments at varying levels to secure funding to upgrade and give the area a much-needed facelift.
“I am hopeful the deputy city manager for finance will see the long-term benefit of the proposed intervention on Felix Dlamini as well as Moses Kotane roads.
“I am in talks with the eThekwini Traffic Authority and the Department of Economic Development to assist in putting together funding for a proposal for these roads.”
He is also hoping to bring about change at nearby Randles Road.
Pappas said funding had been secured for an upgrade on Roslyn Avenue, which should ease congestion to some extent.
“My hope is to make the area pedestrian-friendly, business-friendly and a great place to live and work.
“We also need to transform the space without compromising the culture and nature of the area.
“We must avoid a situation where this area turns into a place like Isipingo where no intervention was made and the result is dysfunctional chaos.”
Pappas added that it was important that the interventions in the area, which included rezoning, road alterations, aesthetic upgrades and sidewalk redesign, did not change the nature of the business in the suburb.
“There are not many places in the city where a family business can operate and profit in an area with such high land values and rates charges.”
Mthethwa said the road was adequate to deal with the current traffic demand.
“There are existing signalised intersections along the road to assist in the safe crossing of pedestrians. Motorists are urged to drive with extreme caution and abide by the rules of the road.”