Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Irene Rügheimer and Sesotho soundbite by David Masoeu MPL. See attached pictures here, here, and here.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Dihlabeng has submitted formal written questions to the Municipal Manager for response at the upcoming May Council meeting, seeking clarity on road maintenance plans, budget allocations, repair timelines, and contingency measures, following serious concerns about the deteriorating condition of key roads in Clarens.
This comes as the Clarens Arts Festival took place this weekend, bringing increased traffic volumes and heightened pressure on already compromised infrastructure.
Recent site inspections and community feedback indicate that:
- Several main access and internal roads are severely deteriorated, with widespread potholes and surface
failures.
- Motorists are frequently forced to alter normal driving patterns, including driving in the centre of the road or along the edges to avoid damage, creating unsafe conditions, particularly during peak visitor periods.
- The current state of the roads poses a significant hazard to both motorists and pedestrians, increasing the risk of collisions and congestion during high-traffic events.
- Clarens remains a well-known tourist destination; however, poor road conditions during peak periods, such as the arts festival, may negatively impact the visitor experience, harm the town’s reputation, and affect repeat tourism.
- Stakeholder engagement suggests that potential higher-value property buyers may be reluctant to invest under current infrastructure conditions, contributing to stagnation at the upper end of the market and placing additional strain on the already constrained middle-income housing segment.
The DA emphasises that the current condition of roads in Clarens requires urgent and sustained attention to ensure public safety, protect the town’s tourism-driven economy, and maintain investor confidence.
Timely and sustainable interventions will be essential, particularly during periods of increased activity such as the current festival weekend and beyond.