Potted trees soon bear fruit

2007-08-30 23:20

Eagan Williamson

Lichtenburg - What to do if the potholes on your daily road are so deep that cars can't drive there and the municipality does nothing about it?

Follow the example of Lichtenburg's citizens and protest by using the potholes to create a greener and more friendly environment.

A group of locals in this North West town got together and out of pure frustration decided to "plant" young trees in the middle of one of their busiest streets, which had become impassable because of the potholes.

Peet van Niekerk, one of the residents, said on Thursday that they came up with the idea after repeatedly complaining and moaning to the municipality didn't bear fruit.

Poor condition of tarred roads

"As fed-up ratepayers we decided enough was enough and we started a friendly but very serious protest by planting trees in one of the streets with many potholes.

"A wreath-laying ceremony was held right there at one of the trees because the many requests about the poor condition of among other things the tarred roads had never amounted to much."

According to Van Niekerk the action immediately led to the desired response from the authorities.

"With the good response of firstly the traffic department under Frank Engelbrecht and then the police, even the mayor after a lot of persuasion came to view the trees.

Van Niekerk said it was decided immediately to close the road, which carries heavy traffic between Lichtenburg and Burgersdorp, because it posed a danger to traffic.

The trees, meanwhile, have been planted elsewhere so that repairs to the road can begin.

- Beeld