Calvinia
The Northern Cape Department of Roads and Public Works held a successful meeting with road forums in Calvinia in the Hantam local municipality yesterday. In a statement the department said this meeting is part of an ongoing series of engagements between the department and the road forums, which were established to ensure smooth and continuous communication.
The Northern Cape is responsible for maintaining an extensive network of 29,000 km of gravel roads. The district’s unique challenges have been exacerbated by climate change, particularly in the Hantam and Karoo Hoogland areas, which share a border with the Western Cape. The area has been severely impacted by weather conditions, including constant rainfall, leading to significant damage to departmental gravel roads.
According to Zandisile Luphahla, the Spokesperson to the MEC, “The department has proactively responded by deploying engineers to assess the affected areas and plan necessary repairs. However, the continuous flooding has put a strain on the department’s budget, as the frequent maintenance required has become increasingly costly.
“Despite these challenges, the department remains committed to involving road users in the planning process, particularly concerning the blading and maintenance of roads. Both the department and road users have agreed to maintain open lines of communication to address road maintenance issues effectively.”
The department also appreciates the ongoing cooperation and understanding of all stakeholders in addressing these challenges.
