Brick paving work continues
PILES of brick pavers left on verges following the work on roads in Port Alfred have elicited questions about the unsightly rubble and possible waste of materials.
Residents are, however, happy with the resurfaced roads.
“They started building just before season,” said shopkeeper Corné Pretorius.
“I’m just happy we’ve got a nice road, and my car’s wheels aren’t getting damaged anymore.”
After brick paving work on Prince’s Avenue and Beach Road was recently completed, contractors moved on to Grand Street.
In the middle of last year, there was concern over the length of time it was taking to complete the brick paving of Wharf Street and the Duck Pond parking lot.
At the time, the municipality said there was a delay in the supply of materials and that rain had further delayed progress.
Even though work has started in Grand Street, the large number of bricks left at corners along the completed Prince’s Avenue raised questions.
Residents offered their own reasons for the piles of bricks left behind.
“They’re going to use the ones they’ve left behind to connect the side roads to the main one. That’s what we think,” resident and shop owner Renate Cooper said.
“They need to finish now,” said restaurateur Beverly Lear.
“It’s been months. They got to the point where if they don’t finish, the water will get underneath and undermine what they have already done.”
Thembela Ncini, a security guard in the area, also feels it is time the project is wrapped up.
“Now it’s wet, the road is slippery,” Ncini said.
“They are going to cause accidents. They should have planned to finish at the same time.
“They took out the stop sign and there are no signs to show that construction is underway.”
Asked about the piles of bricks, municipal spokesman Cecil Mbolekwa said: “We are still busy with the paving in the area; those bricks are still to be used.”
He said the Grand Street project was expected to be completed by the end of May, and at the latest in June should “unforeseen circumstances” become a factor.
“The municipality is ensuring that each project benefits people within municipal boundaries,” Mbolekwa said.
“But unfortunately budget does not allow us to implement projects that will benefit everyone within our municipal boundaries.”
Roadwork recommenced this week.