To avoid losing any more lives on the dangerously damaged Eastern Cape roads, motorists need to be extra cautious in the upcoming months. The state of some roads will continue to deteriorate, warns Captain John Fobian of the Eastern Cape Disaster Management Office, and he appeals to drivers to be extra wary.
To avoid losing any more lives on the dangerously damaged Eastern Cape roads, motorists need to be extra cautious in the upcoming months. The state of some roads will continue to deteriorate, warns Captain John Fobian of the Eastern Cape Disaster Management Office, and he appeals to drivers to be extra wary.
“We've had 11 deaths so far and two people are missing,” Fobian said. “We implore motorists not to take chances crossing flowing waterways or submerged bridges.”
Fobian requested drivers try and stick to speeds of no more than 100km/h for the time being.
And while road users wait for a detour route to be opened, Fobian recommended an alternative route for light vehicles travelling from Grahamstown to Port Elizabeth.
Take the Kenton-on-Sea turn-off along the N2, he said, and upon arriving at Kenton turn right towards Alexandria. Between Kenton and Alexandria there are two stop-and-goes as the road can only take single lane traffic. “That road won't be able to withstand heavy vehicles for a very long time,” Fobian said.
If you have a large, reliable car that can cope with gravel roads and potholes, Paula Howarth from Pumba Game Reserve recommends this route to travel from Port Elizabeth to Grahamstown:
When driving on the N2 from Port Elizabeth, take the Grahamstown road at the Nanaga intersection. Drive approximately 50km to reach the Seven Fountains crossroads where you must turn left. Signage on the road will direct you to Pumba, Kichaka and Assegaai reserves. Drive approximately five kilometres along this road (passing Assegaai and Kichaka Lodge) and take the first turn-off to the right (marked by a sign for Pumba) and drive about three kilometres.
You will reach a T-junction where you must turn right and travel another eight kilometres. Carry on past a signed turn-off to Pumba and on to another T-junction where you will turn left back onto the N2 to Grahamstown.
See Grocott's Online (italwww.grocotts.co.za/ital) for more information and updates.
As of yesterday, our traffic situation was as follows:
- R67 Grahamstown to Bathurst: Open
- R68 Bathurst to Port Alfred: Open
- R350 Grahamstown to Bedford: Open. Fine for light city cars, beware of potholes and trucks
- Southwell road: Not recommended for travel, especially if not using a 4×4 vehicle
- R72 Port Elizabeth to East London: Open for light vehicles only, beware of potholes
- R72 stretch from Port Alfred to Alexandria: Open for light vehicles only with stop/goes
- R343 Grahamstown to Kenton-on-Sea: Open
