About two weeks ago, the FF Plus and AfriForum joined hands and launched a collaborative project to repair potholes in Tarlton on the West Rand. The "Tarlton Project" got underway with the repair of potholes in Du Toit street, which serves as a connecting route to the N14/R24.
Approximately 200 potholes, over a distance of just more than one kilometre, have already been repaired.
The project is ongoing and the FF Plus will continue to repair dangerous potholes in the area on Saturdays with the help of volunteers.
The party involved AfriForum as partner because the project is expected to incur great costs and it is not something that can be undertaken without the necessary support and expertise. Thus far, approximately R30 000 has been spent on the project and road regulations are strictly adhered to during the repair process.
At present, Du Toit street only has a 10 mm layer of tar which was poured over the underlying gravel road because the road mainly carried light traffic. However, lately trucks have started making use of the route as a short cut to avoid the N14/R24 junction.
Tarlton was traditionally known as an agricultural area, but over the past year, the situation changed drastically as trucking companies established themselves on small holdings in the vicinity. The area's road infrastructure cannot keep up with the heavy traffic.
The industrial areas of the Mogale City Local Municipality (Krugersdorp, Magaliesburg, Muldersdrift) are becoming deserted as more and more businesses opt to relocate to the agricultural holdings around Krugersdorp.
In March 2020, the FF Plus met with the Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Jacob Mamabola, to discuss the poor condition of Gauteng's roads. The party pointed out to Mamabola that, especially after the heavy rains, the roads are riddled with potholes that lead to accidents and the loss of lives.
The party expressed particular concern for motorcyclists who use the decayed roads in the province. When a motorcycle hits a pothole, chances of survival are very slim.
The FF Plus supports the various initiatives of volunteers who have taken it upon themselves to repair potholes in towns across Gauteng. These projects are funded by the volunteers as municipalities fail to do the necessary maintenance and repair roads.
In the upcoming local government elections, voters have the opportunity to bring about a drastic change in the failing ANC government by standing up and standing with the FF Plus and sending a loud and clear message: This decay will not be tolerated.
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