KNYSNA NEWS - Hospital Hill Road remains closed to motorists after further damage to the road that originally collapsed following a severe storm in May. The municipality is yet to provide an update on the progress of its assessments, findings and the way forward.
Last week, Knysna Municipality warned motorists and residents in the Agnar and Hospital Hill area to avoid the affected road completely and use the recommended detour. The road normally gives access to the Paradise area, upper town.
The statement read: "Residents and motorists are urged not to remove or bypass the temporary barriers or attempt to drive on the closed section of road. Following a geotechnical investigation, specialist engineers have classified the road as high risk.
"The affected area should not be subjected to vibration or traversed by vehicles, as vehicle movement could further compromise the stability of the road".
Despite the closure, the municipality has observed heavy vehicles and motor cars continuing to use the road. Residents and motorists are strongly cautioned to take the closure seriously and comply with the safety measures in place.
The latest collapse comes after concerns were first raised in June after the severe May storm, when the municipality confirmed that its infrastructure services department was investigating the cause of the road failure and engaging with the developer of the adjacent site and engineering teams.
At the time, the municipality said remedial work had commenced, including clearing debris and vegetation from the embankment, preliminary earthworks and preparations to stabilise the affected area.
The building control department also issued a formal notice to the developer/property owner of the site (unknown to the Knysna-Plett Herald) in terms of Section 12 of the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act, requiring an investigation into the condition of the affected earthworks and structures and the appointment of a suitably qualified registered professional.
The developer/owner was required to submit a report containing recommendations for remedial measures to ensure public safety. With the road now having deteriorated further, there are renewed questions over the outcome of the technical assessments, whether the required reports have been completed, what has been established regarding the cause of the collapse, and what permanent remedial measures are planned.
The municipality has been approached for an update on the progress and findings of the assessments, compliance with the Section 12 notice, responsibility for the damage, the current condition of the road and embankment, and the proposed timeframe and plan for permanent repairs and reopening of the road.
The Acting Director of Infrastructure Services, Mpumelelo Nzuzo, said: "We have appointed our specialist team, and the investigation work has already begun on municipal property. We expect a report in the next two to three weeks".
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