War on Potholes campaign repairs over 1 400 roads defects across Midvaal

Midvaal Local Municipality has repaired more than 1 400 potholes since launching its War on Potholes campaign last month, with roads teams achieving an average 84% closure rate in affected areas.

The campaign, launched on 29 April, is targeting damaged roads across communities including Walkers Fruit Farms, Meyerton Farms, Homestead Apple Orchards, Janteen and the Meyerton CBD.

Municipal teams repaired 929 of the 1 199 potholes identified during the week ending 10 May, covering more than 550 square metres of road surface. Roads repaired included Centre Road, Foothill Road, Plantation Road, Alma Road, Pierneef Boulevard and Boet Kruger Street.

In the following week, another 543 potholes were repaired from 784 identified across roads including Cross Road, South Road, Johan Le Roux Road and Seymour Road. Repair work covered nearly 398 square metres.

Midvaal Executive Mayor Alderman Peter Teixeira said the municipality remains committed to improving roads across the region.

“We remain committed to maintaining and building safe, reliable and accessible roads for all residents,” said Teixeira.

Additional maintenance included repainting 32 rusted poles, replacing or installing 15 road signs, repainting a pedestrian crossing and marking 18 stop signs.

Heavy rainfall in Walkers Fruit Farms forced teams to first deal with severe drainage and stormwater challenges before pothole repairs could continue. The municipality recorded about 95mm of rainfall over two days earlier this month, leaving several roads waterlogged.

Development and Planning teams have also begun investigating the impact of heavy-duty vehicles and industrial activity on road conditions in some areas. The municipality said it plans to engage businesses on possible partnerships to help preserve road infrastructure.

The campaign is expected to continue in Meyerton Farms, while contractors prepare to begin work on Boundary Road.