In a town where potholes are steadily starting to outnumber the population, there is at least one positive that can be taken from this dire situation – law enforcement’s task of identifying drunk drivers has become an absolute breeze.
Drivers that are most likely to be over the limit tend to forget that it is nearly impossible to drive on 90% of the roads in town without navigating their way around potholes.
So, if a driver is not swerving to avoid these soon-to-be craters, chances are they had one too many at one of the town’s fine establishments.
- Approximately 6000 people live in Barrydale
- A recent poll initiated by News62 revealed that the increasing number of potholes is one of the top two concerns of residents – potholes being a very close second to crime.
- Congratulations to Camel Horse Cafe for becoming the latest establishment to be granted a liquor license.
While pothole ridden roads is not a common occurrence in the Western Cape, Gauteng and KZN refugees who moved to this part of the world to create a beter life understand that the degradation of road infrastructure signs the beginning of the end.
Drastic action is therefore required.
Hands off our holes
With the understanding that the municipality’s budget is limited at best, local businessman Dereck de Villiers decided that he would repair two rather large potholes in front of his house in Tennant Street (pictured below).
His actions were not welcomed at all.
“I attempted to cover these holes myself and I think we would have done a pretty good job, but then I was summoned by the municipality and asked what I thought I was doing and whether I got permission,” said De Villiers.
“I didn’t (get permission) because I know there are many little towns in South Africa who do not have a budget to repair things and I took it upon myself to repair the two holes.
De Villiers was instructed to remove the concrete and stones he had put in the potholes.
Pothole audit confirms sad state of affairs
The owner of the Country Pumpkin, who has been serving the community for 32 years, then decided to investigate the overall conditions of the roads in town and discovered that the problem is far worse than he had ever imagined.
“I quickly realised how bad the roads are in Barrydale as well as Smitsville – especially when you go down to Rondomskrik,” said De Villiers.
“We are hoping that the municipality will do something about it and not a five-year plan, but something that has got to be repaired now because in a year’s time it’s going to be even worse.”
Above: A small selection of pictures that were taken during the pothole audit
De Villiers added that people who purchase properties in Barrydale do not always realise how badly the roads are deteriorating and his fear is that if something isn’t done now, it might be too late.
More funds to be allocated to Barrydale’s road maintenance
According to Swellendam Mayor Francois Du Rand there is a plan in place to solve this problem.
“We are in the process of finalising budgets that will be implemented from July 1 and it is part of our plan to make more funds available for Barrydale’s roads,” Du Rand told News62.
Du Rand said that he would give feedback once the budget has been approved by council.
Pot of gold needed to fix Pothole problem
According to Ward 2 Councillor Ikey Ferguson no less than R40-million would be required to address the pothole problem.
“I spoke to town manager Wilma Karsten and she confirmed that the budget for Barrydale’s roads is limited at the moment and that we would need additional funding to the tune of R40-million to solve this problem.”
Pothole free road repaired
Residents were baffled earlier this year when a section of Van Riebeeck Street between the Karoo Art Hotel and OK Grocer was upgraded despite it being one of the beter roads in the village.
Not only was the subsequent road closure detrimental to a few local businesses, the standard of work was of such poor quality that a section of the brand new road had to be ripped up and resurfaced just weeks after the project was completed.
News62 can confirm that the contractors themselves had to pay for this blunder.
Later they also had to repaint the parking bays after it was incorrectly laid out and what raised more eyebrows is that no provision was made to accommodate pedestrians.
Pictures below courtesy of Herbert Dark
