KNYSNA NEWS - More than a million rand in turnover has been lost by Knysna business Metelerkamps due to the ongoing roadworks along Union and Queen streets, according to owner John Meterlerkamp.

"During my busiest period, between October and December, Union Street was closed and this affected us in a major way. I estimate our loss at R1-million. There was no parking for customers and our exit was blocked, resulting in constant congestion and a hazard for motorists. They have now reopened Union Street but the roadworks, which was initially scheduled for completion in November, is still continuing," he said.

'Too difficult to complete in timeframe'
The municipality confirmed that the roadworks which started in October 2018 was scheduled to be completed by the beginning of November, but that "the very deep excavation and the large number of existing services such as electricity cables, communication services, water pipes, and stormwater pipes made it very difficult to complete the work within the planned timeframe".

"Additionally," the municipality said in a statement, "we were at a disadvantage as a large percentage of the existing services mentioned above was unknown, thus a lot of time was and still is being spent on finding these services without breaking them and causing further disruption."

'Appoint proper contractors'
Metererkamp said the project, in his opinion, has been "a fiasco". "I've tried several times to get answers from the municipality, and when my staff's parking bays (in Union Street) were affected I was fighting with them daily. I maintain that the municipality should have appointed proper contractors. These guys are from another town and very unfamiliar with Knysna conditions." he said, referring to the excavations that get filled with water when the tide comes in.

According to the municipality, the consequence of the deep excavation is having to deal with the high water table. This necessitated, it said, the installation of an extensive water extraction pipe network, which has to run full-time to ensure the excavations are dry.

'We are doing everything we can'
"A further consequence of the deep excavation is the requirement to shore the trench walls, to ensure safe working conditions for the pipe layers. The shoring method employed is a steel box structure, which is heavy and takes time to manoeuvre into place. We cannot do without it, as the trench would be even wider than it is currently. 

"We are aware of the disruption caused by the roadworks, but we are doing everything we can to ensure proper alternative accesses to all affected parties, and we are in constant contact so that problems are attended to and dealt with as soon as they become apparent."

It went on to say, "The contractor is doing everything in his power to finish the pipework as soon as possible. In terms of the contract, penalties are applicable," it stated without elaborating on what the penalties amount to.

'Unavoidable' further disruption
According to the municipality, estimations are that the pipeworks would be done within two to three weeks. "Thereafter, Union Street and Queen Street will be temporarily fully open for traffic. After this, the required manholes will be constructed, as well as the manhole in Long Street, where the new pipe will be connected to the existing pipe. This will cause some disruption again which is unavoidable.

"Alternative access and routes will be communicated and signposted in due time, and affected parties will be consulted to ensure the process goes smoothly."

'We bring you the latest Knysna, Garden Route news'