MAKHADO (LOUIS TRICHARDT) – A senior delegation from the National Department of Transport this week met with local role-players to discuss the ongoing problem of downhill heavy vehicle traffic through the town.

A downhill dedicated lane for heavy vehicle transport, with a compulsory stopping point in the mountain, additional arrester beds and appropriate signage and high mast lighting at the arrester beds and at the newly constructed traffic circle are some of the solutions put forward at the high levelled meeting arranged by the Soutpansberg Chamber of Commerce. The problem of law enforcement also received attention.

The South African Department of Transport was represented at the meeting by Dr Wendy Watson, General Manager: Land Transport Regulation and Ms Johanna “Jowie” Mulaudzi, Manager: Infrastructure Planning and Co-ordination, who came from Pretoria, listened attentively and agreed that the town in fact has a serious problem. Before the meeting they visited the southern part of the mountain pass and agreed that several problems still exist in the newly constructed toll road and that the existing arrester bed alone is not a sufficient solution to the life threatening danger of runaway heavy vehicles. The newly constructed circle at the Stubbs Street intersection with the N1 also had several signage and other flaws which should be rectified.

Dr Watson indicated that some of the problems with regard to heavy vehicle traffic on the road had to be taken up with the National Roads Agency (SANRA). She agreed to liaise with the provincial authorities to encourage proper communication amongst the provincial authorities and on appropriate law enforcement. She indicated that on national level a Road Traffic Management Corporation is coming into being.

Dr Watson said the local community should make its wishes abundantly clear to the municipal authorities with regards to the solutions at the four problem crossings along the N1 through the town. She said according to available statistics every fourth time that a traffic light turns red, somebody ignores it.

With regard to the local problems with toll fees and the absence of alternative tarred routes at the toll gates in the northern part of province, Ms Mulaudzi said there is a country wide resistance to the burden of tolls. The Department is at present planning to revise the whole tolling strategy in the country. A commission is envisaged, which would review the matter and come up with a new policy.

The meeting agreed that an awareness campaign is necessary to inform and assist local drivers in the usage of the newly constructed circle on the N1. It also agreed that if heavy vehicles are allowed to cross the mountain, safe infra structure, like separate and dedicated lanes, a compulsory stop and additional arrester beds should be created. Sufficient overhead lighting should be installed at the circle and at the arrester beds, to ensure visibility.

The meeting also discussed the problems caused by heavy vehicles on the Waterpoort Road.

The chairperson of the local Chamber of Commerce, Ms Jana Smith, indicated that several outstanding issues will be taken up with the National Roads Agency.