The recent heavy rains in Johannesburg not only caused severe flooding but also wreaked havoc with our already disintegrating roads.
Luckily, help is at hand for Johannesburg motorists thanks to The Dial Direct Pothole Brigade, in partnership with Lead SA, The Johannesburg Roads Agency and the Gauteng Provincial Department of Roads and Transport.
According to Bradley Du Chenne, Senior Executive of Dial Direct Insurance: “The response to The Dial Direct Pothole Brigade has been incredible and we thank everyone who has taken the time to report a pothole.
“Since we officially launched The Dial Direct Pothole Brigade on Monday, 17 January 2011, over 40 000 people have visited www.potholebrigade.co.za and over 11 500 reports have been logged via this website. That said, we are finding an average of three to five potholes at every reported site, so the actual number of potholes needing repair is substantially more.
“The Pothole Brigade is doing sterling work. Lead SA is proud to be a partner with Dial Direct and road authorities,” said Lead SA’s Yusuf Abramjee. “We are making a difference and the feedback from the public has been excellent. This is a good example of public/private partnership.”
The total number of potholes repaired since the project started in August 2010 is 5 235.
Dial Direct has employed an additional four pothole inspectors and has decided to triple its capacity within the next few weeks. Last week The Dial Direct Pothole Brigade was able to repair over 1 000 potholes.
“We call on the public to continue reporting potholes. The results so far have been excellent. Lead SA thanks all the partners in this initiative for improving the conditions on our roads. We are glad that the capacity has been beefed up as a result of public demand,” said Abramjee.
“We ask that the Johannesburg public continues to report potholes either online via www.leadsa.co.za or www.potholebrigade.co.za; by dialing *120*1551# on a cellphone and following the onscreen instructions (STD USSD rates apply); or via the mobi site - potholebrigade.mobi.
“If your pothole is within our scope of repair – we will fix it. If not, we’ll report it to the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport or the Johannesburg Roads Agency, who we are working closely with, or other relevant roads agencies,” says Du Chenne.
The Johannesburg public has welcomed The Dial Direct Pothole Brigade with open arms. Here’s what some had to say about this initiative:
From a motorist who has twice lost complete wheels to potholes – WAY TO GO! The Pothole Brigade is a fabulous initiative and long may it last!
The pothole brigade came and fixed the holes in our road a mere few days after we reported it and I would just like to express my gratitude and that of the other 400 or so people who use Swallow Drive in Norscot Slopes daily! I think it is such a great initiative!
Just a quick e-mail to tell you that the Dial Direct Pothole Brigade is a great idea! I’ve already “reported” two potholes and I can’t wait to see the progress. What a great initiative – I hope it is really successful...