POLOKWANE – The relevant authorities will be held responsible for any fatality which may occur as a result of the irresponsible decision to force heavy vehicles to use the N1, which is still under construction over the mountain pass just north of Louis Trichardt.

This warning came after a meeting early this week to discuss serious problems resulting from the ill advised decision to close alternative routes for heavy vehicles from the beginning of December last year. The Provincial Roads Agency indicated that the prohibition on alternative routes would remain in place, regardless of the public outcry.

Not a single representative of the departments responsible for the disputed decision and its enforcement attended the meeting, although the venue of the meeting was especially moved from Mopani to Polokwane to enable them to attend.

The meeting was chaired by the Chief Executive Officer of the Provincial Roads Agency, Mr B R Shibambu and was also attended by a safety official from the National Roads Agency.

A representative of the Soutpansberg District Agricultural Union, Mr Gideon Meiring, who also represented concerned residents of the town of Louis Trichardt, informed the meeting about the increased safety hazard caused by the decision to close alternative routes for heavy traffic, at a time when the road over the mountain was still under construction. He said the frustration caused by slow moving heavy vehicles in the mountain, congestion and blockages caused by heavy vehicles bogged down in stretches where the tarred surface has been removed and the increased risk of runaway heavy vehicles, are causing a safety risk and is a cause for serious concern for residents. He stressed that this increased safety hazard could result in catastrophic consequences with a heavy loss of life.

The safety expert of the South African National Roads Agency ridiculed the statement that an increase in the heavy vehicle traffic across the mountain equals an increased safety hazard. He also ridiculed the concern about possible runaway heavy vehicles from the mountain and said there are other much more steeper mountain passes in the country. He indicated that increased safety precautions and contingency protocols were in place to deal with any possible emergency situation on the road under construction. He lost his temper and insisted that the meeting should immediately be closed because of the "insulting" suggestion that it would be irresponsible to keep on forcing heavy vehicle transport across the mountain while the road was still under construction. He also attacked the media for reporting on the motoring public's concerns about the safety situation on the road and said the public should consider the temporary inconvenience as the price which must be paid for the eventual high standard N1 which will amongst others be provided with advanced safety features and emergency communication pillars. He emphasised the importance of the principle that international traffic should help pay for the roads they use in the country.

Mr Shibambu emphasised that the alternative roads have been closed to heavy vehicle transport, because the particular secondary roads were not constructed for heavy vehicle transport. He made it clear that the prohibition only applies to international heavy transport vehicles and does in no way interfere with heavy vehicles handling local farming activities, local deliveries or passenger transport. He was adamant that the forced usage of the road under construction across the mountain, must remain in place.

International heavy vehicles travelling between Kranskop, Mokopane, Musina and Beitbridge are permitted only on the N1. The alternative routes via Dendron and Vivo (R521) via Buysdorp (R522), via Waterpoort (R523) and via Alldays (R572) are prohibited. Heavy vehicles with international cargo travelling between Polokwane and Tzaneen are allowed on the R81 via Mooketsi and Duiwelskloof. The alternative routes from which they are prohibited are the R71 via Haenertsburg and the R528 via George's Valley.

The lack of progress in this meeting was brought to the attention of the MEC for Public Works (Roads) immediately afterwards in a letter by the Chairperson of the Soutpansberg District Agricultural Union, Mr Dries Joubert, this week.

In the letter, faxed to the MEC, he urgently requests that heavy vehicles be allowed to use the alternative routes on the N1 until the present construction on the N1 is completed. The letter states: "This suggested relief will immediately contribute in a significant way to preventing serious accidents in the interest of everybody in our region."