FROM THE CHAIRMAN
At the end of last year there was a change behind the
scene of our newsletter which some readers might
have noticed. I ended up writing less and we have had
some stunning input from others, most notably Allan
Bartram’s recently. Thanks everyone for giving me a
wee break. Now we get back to a monthly comment
from yours truly; I hope not too many people disap-
pointed!
For my sins I joined the working committee for Lake-
side and Thornhill that interacts with the shop devel-
opers a couple of Saturdays ago for a walk around the
area to see first-hand what is going on. Lakeside have
their issues to focus on which mostly revolve around
their entrance and views from their side over the shops. Here in Thornhill
our concerns are also mostly around our entrance, but the joint issues are
certainly the location of the taxi rank as well as the increase in traffic in gen-
eral. From our side we have been increasing the cameras we have that watch
the roads around us. These cameras provide enhanced security support
which we then share with the necessary authorities when required. So far it
is proving quite useful in monitoring traffic flow but let’s not fool ourselves,
traffic is going to go through the roof when these shops open and I don’t think
we fully appreciate what that will look like. Until then rest assured we are
doing all we can to make sure we can get in and out of our estate as best as
possible. I hope the wee walk we took will see our concerns hit the right ears
but only time will tell.
Crime is horrendous at the moment with a couple of hijackings right at the
top of our estate at the lights on the road over to Alex. Again, we are trying to
make sure that area is well lit and doing what we can to get some decent cam-
era coverage too. Even without hijackings that intersection is very dangerous
at all times of the day so please everyone, always treat it with caution. You
will see also that dumping is becoming a worse problem along the roads com-
ing to Modderfontein. If any residents are able to take video footage, please
get it to the office as soon as you can. I cannot see how this much rubbish
gets dumped without anyone seeing it at all. It will be dangerous to stop too
close so while we are keen to find the culprits please don’t do anything that
puts you at risk either. Steam comes flowing out of my ears every time I head
home and see those piles of rubble multiplying like there is no tomorrow.
Our watercourse is going through some extensive renovations before the
rains come back so let’s hope they go well and we are fully ready for the
storms next year. A big thanks to the Estate’s & Gardens Committee for perse-
vering with this project over the past two years or so, it is all starting to pay
off nicely now.
Continued....