The number of new roads earmarked for construction has been increased from 10 to 27 after the public works, roads and transport department struck a deal with the South African National Roads Agency to develop some of the roads.

This was announced by MEC Raymond Elisha during his recent meetings with taxi associations, farmers and community forums in Klerksdorp and Rustenburg.

Elisha embarked on district road summits where he met stakeholders and listened to concerns on roads they want the government to prioritise.

The campaign will culminate in a provincial summit that will bring all inputs and will shape the development of a provincial roads plan to be implemented in both the short and long term.

“With these summits we decided to meet with stakeholders and inform them of the five-year provincial road plan and which roads will receive attention in their district,” Elisha told delegates in Klerksdorp.

He said the government had decided to plan together with those affected by development, or lack of it in their areas so there would be fewer protests as seen in some parts of the province recently.

“We can no longer plan alone. We need to bring you road plans for this financial year and those in the future so that you can re-prioritise,” he said.

During the summits delegates submitted their recommendations as road users. The MEC told the delegates their submissions would be consolidated and taken to the provincial summit.

“At this summit we will make declarations that will bind the department to implement the resolutions. By so doing, we will ensure the communities hold the department accountable when projects are not implemented and they will remain the department’s mandate,” he said.

Source: The New Age