Pressure grows for truck stop
CONCERNS over the growing need for a city truck stop is becoming more evident as hundreds of trucks pass through the city on a daily basis.
As it stands, truck drivers are forced to stop for either a short break or even overnight at any spot they deem suitable, creating issues for motorists, residents and truck owners who worry about security risks posed to drivers and cargo.
The damage to roads, pavements and verges is also of grave concern.
According to Mike Patterson, Vice Chairman of the SA Roads Federation’s Empangeni region, an area in Alton had been identified for a truck stop, but this never came to fruition.
‘The Alton site was possibly chosen for commercial reasons as there appeared to be an investor in place.
‘The advertised completion date was July last year, but there has been no sign of this as yet.’
Patterson said the site in Alton would not attract trucks in transit on the N2’s north-south route..
‘A stop in close proximity to the N2 John Ross intersection would be ideal as it would also serve the east to west route which is heavily populated with trucks carrying cargo from inland to the port,’ said Patterson.
While the a truck stop would serve the city as a long-term investment, Patterson said it is something which would also need to be regulated to ensure that trucks only stop at the designated area.
‘There is no way that a truck stop could become a viable business venture without the trucks being compelled by law to park in a safe area and face prosecution if they continued to park illegally.
‘This is a chicken and egg situation but needs to be urgently addressed,’ Patterson said.
City of uMhlathuze spokesperson, Mdu Ncalane, said the city would respond to queries relating to a truck stop in due course.