Melba Avenue gets a little safer
WILGEHEUWEL – Residents take matters in their owns hand to ensure their safety.
Residents of Melba Avenue raised funds to erect a fence around an abandoned piece of land. Measures they thought were necessary as they believe this takes them a step closer to ensuring their safety.
Residents living along the street started having meetings mid last year across the different complexes about the area’s vulnerability to criminals. There was no patrolling nor was there sufficient light on the abandoned land for residents to feel safe. Therefore, to assure their weary minds, they opted to take matters into their own hands.
The land, which was meant to become a road, is called Metro Boulevard. Though they might not own the land, the Wilgeheuwel residents have been given permission to have the area fenced until such a time the [Department of Roads and Transport] finally start developments of the road. The land is also not owned by JRA.
One of the residents, who helped the coordinator of the project, Caroline Hadley said that this project was long overdue.
“This fence will give us a sense of security because there will be monitoring and regular patrolling,” said Hadley.
She further explained that in the interim, they are looking to clear the land of all alien plants and use the land for their recreational purposes. She added that it was an expensive project to undertake but the little peace of mind they get from having put up the fence was worth it.
Details: Department of Roads and Transport GPRoads.Transport@gauteng.gov.za or 0860 428 8364; JRA hotline@jra.org.za or 0860 562 874
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