Disgruntled Durban Resident

For years, Durban Parks Department has always shone above all other departments in their functioning and repairs. Four weeks ago, they cut down a large amount of timber from a tree on the turning circle on Leighorne Place, it can be seen from the photographs that since removing the timber and storing it against the wall and have not bothered to remove or collect it. All of the foliage ie. leaves have now washed off due to the recent rainfall and are now sitting in the drainage system which is not conducive to keeping the storm drain system clear of unnecessary debris.

Storm drains are designed to dissipate and clear water from the rainfall off the roads and not to wash the foliage from the trees that have been cut and left.

There is a hole where the bitumen road was removed to get to a water leak in front of number 19, it can now be seen that the driveway is cracking. this repair was done at least 2 months ago and is only due to our constant filling this with sand that vehicles are able to ride on it. Despite contacting the department numerous times to come back and fill the hole before the situation worsens, they have not made any attempt to do so.

Is this what we pay Rates and Taxes on?? This is certainly not in line with any of the standards that were in place with the council previously.

Furthermore, it would seem any area that is not visited by tourists is neglected completely and proof of this is Gordon Road, where a section was resurfaced probably about 9 years ago. In preparing the resurfacing the top surface was scoured to allow the new tar to bond, obviously to cut costs, the retarring was stopped halfway between Florida Road and Gordon Road leaving only the scouring, creating multiple potholes especially where speed bumps have been installed for the schools.

It's time we as Durban Rate payers start to reduce our rates and not accept this level of apathy and substandard service that we are paying for.