{"id":98068,"date":"2019-07-02T11:02:35","date_gmt":"2019-07-02T09:02:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mobserver.co.za\/?p=98068"},"modified":"2019-07-03T13:06:59","modified_gmt":"2019-07-03T11:06:59","slug":"national-road-chopped-pieces","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/middelburg-observer\/news-headlines\/2019\/07\/02\/national-road-chopped-pieces\/","title":{"rendered":"National Road chopped into pieces"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The R555 is all but hacked up, with several sections of the tar surface stripped for repairs and the holes have been left, negligently unmarked and unattended.<\/p>\n<p>The strips of removed tar are located in such places, that vehicles have to swerve into the oncoming lane to avoid them, or hit them at full-speed, leading to damages to their vehicles.<br \/>\nA BMW and an abnormal load vehicle are currently standing next to the road, suffering from extensive damages.<br \/>\n<b><\/b><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_98074\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-98074\" style=\"width: 520px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-98074\" src=\"https:\/\/mobserver.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/92\/2019\/07\/sloot-6-Copy-520x400.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"520\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/92\/2019\/07\/sloot-6-Copy-520x400.jpg 520w, https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/92\/2019\/07\/sloot-6-Copy-300x231.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 520px) 100vw, 520px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-98074\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The strip not far from the original ditch that caused the accident. This is a new patch.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><b>www.mobserver.co.za<\/b>\u00a0published an article on Monday, with a video showing unsuspecting drivers screeching to a halt as they try to avoid one of the ditches that spans across the road.<\/p>\n<p>The publishing of the article came after a head on collision took place on Saturday evening, at the very same unmarked ditch. The occupants of both vehicles narrowly escaped with their lives, yet the following day warning signs had still not been put up.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Also read: <a href=\"https:\/\/mobserver.co.za\/98000\/watch-vehicles-hit-unmarked-ditch-r555\/\" target=\"_blank\">WATCH: Vehicles hit unmarked ditch on R555<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Several residents expressed their discontent, asking whether the relevant department will pay for the costs inflicted upon motorists.<\/p>\n<p>Mr Tim Phiri, the driver of the BMW, showed the journalist his two flat tyres. He estimated that repairs to his vehicle would cost him a maximum of R6000.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;But this is just money, what about people&#8217;s lives?&#8221; he asked at the scene. Tim is outraged that signs have not been put up to warn motorists of the construction, adding that it&#8217;s an accident waiting to happen.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_98072\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-98072\" style=\"width: 520px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-98072\" src=\"https:\/\/mobserver.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/92\/2019\/07\/sloot-4-Copy-520x400.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"520\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/92\/2019\/07\/sloot-4-Copy-520x400.jpg 520w, https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/92\/2019\/07\/sloot-4-Copy-300x231.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 520px) 100vw, 520px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-98072\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Tim Phiri next to one of his flat tyres. Both tyres on the left side of the vehicle are flat and he suspects rim damage.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Mr Marius Viljoen and his abnormal load vehicle, was parked not far from Mr Phiri. His tyres were not only damaged but one of the wheels broke off from the axle, leaving the axle digging into the road.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-98071\" src=\"https:\/\/mobserver.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/92\/2019\/07\/sloot-3-Copy-520x400.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"520\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/92\/2019\/07\/sloot-3-Copy-520x400.jpg 520w, https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/92\/2019\/07\/sloot-3-Copy-300x231.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 520px) 100vw, 520px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-98069\" src=\"https:\/\/mobserver.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/92\/2019\/07\/sloot-1-Copy-520x400.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"520\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/92\/2019\/07\/sloot-1-Copy-520x400.jpg 520w, https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/92\/2019\/07\/sloot-1-Copy-300x231.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 520px) 100vw, 520px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\u2022<b>www.mobserver.co.za<\/b>\u00a0would like to warn motorists of the sections where tar was removed. There are patches at the Protea intersection, as well as two major patches about two kilometres from the robot. Another patch has been removed after the Renoster Street turn off to Dennesig.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_98073\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-98073\" style=\"width: 520px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-98073\" src=\"https:\/\/mobserver.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/92\/2019\/07\/sloot-5-Copy-520x400.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"520\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/92\/2019\/07\/sloot-5-Copy-520x400.jpg 520w, https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/92\/2019\/07\/sloot-5-Copy-300x231.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 520px) 100vw, 520px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-98073\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Another new patch, dangerously situated near the Renoster turn-off. This turn-off has been responsible for many accidents.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>After close inspection, it was seen that sections of the road have been demarcated with white paint, all the way to the Elandslaagte turnoff about 10km out, which indicates that more patches will undoubtedly be removed.<br \/>\n<b><\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>www.mobserver.co.za<\/b>\u00a0is still awaiting a response from the Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3>Also read:<\/h3>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/mobserver.co.za\/98039\/ferals-need-help\/\" target=\"_blank\">The ferals need help<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/mobserver.co.za\/97972\/trafficalert-r555-closed-seven-die-horrific-crash\/\" target=\"_blank\">#TrafficAlert: R555 closed, seven die in horrific crash<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><a class=\"anchor_post\" href=\"https:\/\/mobserver.co.za\/96638\/middelburg-police-officer-arrested-hawks-operation\/\" target=\"_blank\">Middelburg police officer arrested during Hawks operation<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3>Want breaking news on the go?<\/h3>\n<p>\u2022 Save our standby number (072 248 3855) and send us a WhatsApp message with the words \u201cAdd me\u201d to be added to our broadcast list.<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 Like us on\u00a0<a class=\"anchor_post\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/MiddelburgObserver\/\" target=\"_blank\">Facebook<\/a>, follow us on\u00a0<a class=\"anchor_post\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MOBSERV\" target=\"_blank\">Twitter<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a class=\"anchor_post\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/mobserver\/?hl=en\" target=\"_blank\">Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 Subscribe to our\u00a0<a class=\"anchor_post\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCs1fP1J8BpepNwIfk2qeVkQ\" target=\"_blank\">YouTube channel<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u2022\u00a0<a class=\"anchor_post\" href=\"http:\/\/mobserver.co.za\/newsletter-signup\/\" target=\"_blank\">Click on the link<\/a>\u00a0to subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter via email.<\/p>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<h3>Have a news tip?<\/h3>\n<p>Contact our news room on our 24 hr standby number\u00a0072 248 3855, or send a mail to our editor\u00a0<a class=\"anchor_post\" href=\"mailto:tobie@mobserver.co.za\" target=\"_blank\">tobie@mobserver.co.za<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A head on collision and thousands of rands in damages is met with silence from the relevant departments who should take accountability for the mess on the Stoffberg Road.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8164,"featured_media":98070,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"hasGravity":false,"cxt_article_byline":"Sjani Campher","cxt_disable_google_ads":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,2],"tags":[19153,19156,10010,12898,19154,1026,7470,19155,10333],"class_list":["post-98068","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-local-news","category-news-headlines","tag-construction-on-r555-causes-damages","tag-gate-op-stoffberg-pad","tag-local-news","tag-middelburg-news","tag-motorists-complain-of-damages-from-r555","tag-r555","tag-stoffberg-road","tag-trucks-axle-breaks-on-r555","tag-trusted-news"],"category_labels":{"Category":"News","SubCategory":"Local news"},"tag_labels":["construction on R555 causes damages","gate op stoffberg pad","local news","middelburg news","motorists complain of damages from R555","R555","stoffberg road","truck's axle breaks on R555","trusted news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/middelburg-observer\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/98068","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/middelburg-observer\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/middelburg-observer\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/middelburg-observer\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8164"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/middelburg-observer\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=98068"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/middelburg-observer\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/98068\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/middelburg-observer\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/98070"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/middelburg-observer\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=98068"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/middelburg-observer\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=98068"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/middelburg-observer\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=98068"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}