The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) welcomes SANRAL’s announcement that it will resume construction on the dangerous R510 between Northam and Thabazimbi.
This follows numerous complaints from the local community about reckless driving, speeding and dangerous overtaking on solid lines.
The poor condition of the road has already caused several serious and fatal accidents, including a bus accident involving schoolchildren.
Since the previous contractor abandoned the site at the end of 2024, road conditions have been extremely dangerous, with large potholes, narrow lanes and no stop-and-go controls. The installation of temporary speed humps without adequate road shoulders further increased the risk of collisions.
The Freedom Front Plus continuously raised these issues through media statements, radio interviews and official correspondence.
SANRAL has now awarded a contract of approximately R339 million to Lebaka Construction for the construction of passing and climbing lanes, tarred shoulders, a four-lane intersection in both directions upon entering the town of Northam, and drainage structures.
Meanwhile, local councillors will engage directly with the provincial traffic authorities and the contractors to ensure that:
• warning signs are promptly erected;
• speed limits are monitored and enforced; and
• traffic-control officers are deployed on the R510.
The party will keep a close eye on how construction progresses to ensure that irregularities or delays do not arise again.
