Westgate discusses traffic issues, solutions

Westgate Centre Management discussed a possible solution to taxi and other traffic problems with the Record on Thursday 15 August.

The Record met with Marketing Manager Nick Scott, General Manager Nicolette Karelse and Operational Manager Ronald Ball about traffic issues around Westgate Shopping Centre.

The two particular points of concern were highlighted regarding the newly installed and fully operational pedestrian crossing on Ontdekkers Road and the bridge from Albertina Sisulu (previously Main Reef) Road to Westgate.

From previous investigation and residents’ complaints, the Record journalist determined that the largest concern currently is taxis using these points as pick-up and drop-off zones and occasionally as a parking space between shifts. This seems to be done instead of making use of the formalised Westgate taxi rank that opened in 2012.

Questions of safety also arose from the pedestrian crossing, which faces the same taxi traffic issues as well as residents generally ignoring the traffic lights that were installed.

“The reason why people are not stopping on Ontdekkers Road is because we are all creatures of habit,” said Karelse.

She believes that awareness about the pedestrian crossing to date is not sufficient and she says that she has contacted the involved parties to correct the situation.

“I have engaged with the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) to explain that they need to start a campaign around it, based on initial Record coverage of the matter.

“We’ve given them timelines by which to complete their campaign.”

Karelse has engaged with the Dobsonville, Roodepoort, Leratong and Johannesburg Taxi Association (Dorljota) about the taxi traffic.

“The explanation we got from them was that taxis from Rustenburg and other distant areas are actually causing the problems outside of the Westgate taxi rank and stealing local customers from Dorljota-affiliated taxis.”

When questioned about their engagement with JMPD on the matter, Karelse admitted that no such meeting has taken place yet but noted it as “a good idea”.

“We actually can approach JMPD to get involved in dispersing taxi traffic in these problem areas.”

The Record has been unable to confirm such taxi conflict with Dorljota representatives to date, but will continue its investigation.