Motorists worry about state of M4
DURBAN North motorists have raised concerns over the poor maintenance of the M4 highway.
The busy coastal route, which links the Durban central business district and northern part of the city, is regarded as among the favourite routes to travel on, with its sea views, bushy terrain and buildings along the sides.
But motorists have complained that the current state of the roads is dangerous and disappointing, with overgrown bushes and debris along the sides, which are also obstructions to traffic.
It has been alleged the road has not been maintained for the past few months. The most affected part was between the turn-offs at Forest Drive and the Ann Arbor Road.
Melanie Melville of Umhlanga, who used the road daily, claimed that the plants growing along the M4 had not been cut back for months and it was dangerous.
She said: “As residents of Durban North, we are concerned about this disappointment, yet we pay extra to keep our area clean. This is the main road and tourists love this road, it should not be in such condition.
“It’s dirty, they have not cut the sides for months and the road is becoming narrow. I almost had an accident on that road because I could not pull over,” she said.
She was worried that the state of the road could cause avoidable accidents.
Another motorist, Vincent Madondo, suggested the road should be monitored at least once a month.
He said it was more dangerous, especially on the curving area. “This is one of the busiest highways in the city. When you’re driving in that particular area the visibility is not sufficient in terms of road safety. Whoever is responsible should have a long-term plan to keep this road in a satisfactory condition.”
The M4 is owned and maintained by the provincial Department of Transport.
Ward 35 councillor Heinz de Boer said he had exhausted all avenues to get the road maintained.
“I have e-mailed the provincial department for months and years. A contractor cut the grass about two weeks ago but did not cut back the trees or weeds growing alongside the road. Department spokesperson Mluleki Mtungwa said a contractor to maintain the road has been appointed.
“The contractor started already in Ballito and we hoping by the end of next week the whole affected area would be cleared,” he said.