The Democratic Alliance has launched a petition in Douglas calling for the urgent blading, repair and proper maintenance of critical agricultural roads that have become virtually undriveable.
The MR809 between Douglas and Griekwastad, as well as the connecting DR124 and DR3024 roads, are in an unacceptable condition. These routes are vital lifelines for farmers, local businesses and the economy of the area.
Despite repeated concerns raised by the community, little has been done to address the long-term deterioration of these roads. To keep them accessible, community members have sponsored diesel to the provincial government to have the roads scraped, providing temporary relief. Roads, however, repeatedly return to an increasingly dangerous condition.
In the last five years, more than R1 million was spent by the community trying to keep roads like the AP3024, functional. This road was last properly maintained more than 30 years ago, highlighting the extent of the longstanding neglect. The pipes beneath the road are also exposed after each heavy rainfall.
The impact of deteriorating gravel roads is being felt directly by farmers and businesses, who find it difficult to transport livestock, crops, agricultural equipment and other essential goods. This increases costs with irrigation farmers paying double on transport costs due to the state of the road. It also disrupts agricultural operations and places unnecessary pressure on the local economy and jobs.
Communities should not be expected to pay out of their own pockets to access and maintain provincial infrastructure. The responsibility to urgently repair and implement an ongoing maintenance programme, rests with government.
The DA will continue gathering signatures from farmers, residents, businesses and all other affected stakeholders before formally handing over the petition to the MEC of Roads and Public Works, Bentley Vass.
A DA-led government will connect residents to jobs, markets and economic opportunities by prioritising investment in road infrastructure that enables safe, reliable and efficient transport.