As part of its unwavering commitment to ensuring safer roads for motorists, cyclists and all other road users, the Drakenstein Municipality continues to encourage residents to report infrastructure concerns such as potholes via the SeeClickFix app.
These holes in the road not only inconvenience commuters but also present a safety hazard, especially during rainy weather when they fill with water, becoming even harder to spot.
In response to these concerns, the Drakenstein Municipality has partnered with SeeClickFix, a user-friendly digital platform that empowers residents to report infrastructure issues directly to the authorities.
Through the SeeClickFix app or website, users can easily pinpoint the location of potholes on an interactive map and provide detailed descriptions of the problem.
According to Louis Pienaar, Executive Director of Engineering Services at the municipality, some of the leading causes of potholes are surface failure and water ingress into the base course layers.
“The cost of repairing a pothole varies between R250 and R350 per m², depending on the size and depth of the pothole.
“The municipality aims to have potholes fully repaired within 10 working days, weather permitting.
“The rainy season, however, often poses challenges in this regard, and therefore we aim to safeguard potholes by filling them with material within 72 hours and then fully repairing them as soon as the weather clears.”
Pienaar said roads are resealed or resurfaced according to the municipality’s road asset management system and planned funding.
“Additionally, the municipality implements a crack sealing programme to prevent water from entering the base layers.
“We regularly perform routine maintenance, subject to weather conditions.”
Ian Cameron, anti-crime activist and member of the DA, who is also a resident of Paarl, recently commended the municipality for its swift response in attending to potholes in his area.
“Yesterday I went for a run in Paarl and noticed a few small potholes in one of the streets,” Cameron said in a Facebook post. “I stopped, took photos and logged it on the municipal SeeClickFix app. Less than 24 hours later and I find these gents getting the job done. Thanks guys.
* The free-to-use SeeClickFix app can be downloaded from the Android Play Store and Apple App Store.
