June 24, 2003
By Bongani Majola
WITH less than a month to go before the City of Johannesburg clamps down on illegal boom-gates, none of 400 application forms issued has been returned from people wishing to close their roads legally.
"More than 400 applications have been either issued by us or downloaded from our website, but not one has made its way back to us," said the spokesperson for the Johannesburg Roads Agency, Hendrik van Tonder. The JRA is the City agency responsible for regulating structures on all roads.
However, van Tonder said, the City was receiving more objections than applications. "Of the more than 80 calls we receive a day, most are from people who object to the road closures."
The deadline for residents to apply to erect boom-gates or for residents to register objections to the structures is 17 July. After that, van Tonder said, the City would clamp down on any illegal structures.
Currently, all boom-gates in Johannesburg are illegal. "Those who have already set up such structures also have to apply, and justify their applications, including getting the necessary assurances from residents supporting the operation of such structures. This includes financial support."
Van Tonder warned that only those applications that complied fully with the City of Johannesburg requirements would be approved. "Applications are only considered for the closure of roads which are local distributors, cul-de-sacs or access-only streets. Applicants are also required to submit a traffic impact study confirming that traffic flow will not be disrupted or displaced by closures."
Other conditions stipulated that closures must have the support of 90% of the residents, may not cause vehicles or pedestrians to incur lengthy, time consuming delays, may not interfere with access for emergency and maintenance vehicles, and there must be adequate road signage.
"May be we will start receiving applications back in numbers closer to the deadline," said Van Tonder.
