THE main road into Kamesh can be regarded as “the road to freedom” as it was one of the first upgraded main roads heading into a township that was officially opened by international icon of freedom and late former president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela.
The road unfortunately has became a potential death track as high speed driving threatens pedestrians as well as residents living next to the road and who have to gain access to it from their driveways.
One of these residents who with great concern on a daily basis has to get out of his driveway into the busy Kamesh Road is Nico Nelson.
“I believe that Nelson Mandela’s intention was not to open a graveyard when he with great originality opened Kamesh Road,” said Nelson.
Nelson explained that where he lives, at 15 Kamesh Road, the road is relatively straight and this results in motorists tending to then drive at high speed.
“It poses a great danger to us as residents living next to the road. We have to be very careful when we use this road.
“Several accidents have occurred in Kamesh Road, some fatal, claiming the deaths of bread winners, fathers, mothers and children. Reckless motorists think they have the freedom of the road.”
Nelson has done a lot of research on the road and has also wrote several letters of concern to municipal officials and even the honorable mayor Athol Trollip regarding the speeding in Kamesh Road.
“The road has a high accident record. Statistics confirmed that most of the accidents reported – and also those not reported – occurs in the areas where there are no speed control measures.
“Therefore I believe that additional speed humps as well as traffic lights at the Kamesh and Acacia crossing will definitely have an impact on speedsters,” said Nelson.
There are only four speed humps in the length of Kamesh Road. Coming from town heading into Kamesh Road the first traffic calming measure is close to St Jospehs Primary, then opposite Kamesh police station, opposite Allanridge Civic Centre and then on the far side at C.W. Hendrickse Primary.
The traffic camera which was erected close to the Kamesh police station was destroyed by informal settlement residents during a previous service delivery protest.
According to Councillor Franay van der Linde, a survey was held years ago to have speed humps installed in the whole of Kamesh Road, but unfortunately there were residents requested not to have traffic calming measures.
“Now, several years down the line, the traffic has increased dramatically and it has become a serious safety concern,” said Van der Linde.
Councillor Tyron Adams from Ward 48 said residents have submitted a petition regarding the matter and requested for traffic calming measures.
“It was submitted during November 2017. The petition was send through to the relevant department and it was said that they were waiting for funding to have the traffic calming measures installed.
“Speed humps are definitely to come. We hope to speed up the process to calm down the speeding in Kamesh Road,” said Councillor Adams.
