adminTinashe Makichi Motoring Reporter
The heavy rains that have hit the capital over the last couple of days have exposed the Harare City Council on many fronts.
Firstly the potholes which are increasing by the day, secondly the poor drainage system and then the poor planning on the road systems.
The rainfall is considered timely and beneficial for farmers but at the same time it’s a nightmare for every motorist.
In recent years, the city has been witnessing terrible scenes during the rainy season and chances of the City announcing plans for a storm water drainage system are nowhere near. Although we are told there have been some cleaning in the drains, the works were carried out in bits and pieces and has proven to be ineffective.
But navigating through the poor drain areas is not the first of the problems.
This column will zero in on the biggest one — TRAFFIC CONGESTION. Whenever there are signs of an impending rainfall, traffic congestion gets into play.
It actually takes time for Zimbabwe Republic Police to chip in the control of traffic at robots.
In addition commuter omnibus drivers have been allowed to invade some streets in the capital ignoring the designated pick up points and this has irked motorists in Harare who say the City Council has allowed the unruly commuter omnibus drivers to be a law unto themselves.
Despite calls for the City of Harare to deal with the problem of commuter omnibuses which have literally taken over some streets of the capital by continually ignoring road traffic regulations, no action has been taken in this regard as the chaos continues to reign supreme during the peak hours.
Council has remained mum on their plans to address the traffic situation. Non-working traffic lights are causing unwanted congestion in the CBD. Whatever has been accomplished in attempts to control the traffic jungle has not been enough in the eyes of the motorists.
Enterprise Road – Samora Machel Avenue and Enterprise Road – Glenara Avenue traffic lights are almost always down; in fact they can stay frozen for days, and even worse can signal right of way to conflicting traffic.
On the Bulawayo – Harare highway, from Warren Park to town cannot be an exception; the amount of congestion on that road during peak hours is just deplorable.
One motorist Mr Albert Chikwenhere voiced his concern on the issue saying the conventional light bulb-fed robots in Harare are ancient except for a few that were installed a few years ago, the rest of the robots have more than doubled their lifespan.
“The nightmare of waking up pondering how to beat the traffic jam in Harare has become a common problem for drivers.
“The issue of traffic jams has forced many motorists to take a back seat. They drive to work when the road is clear,” said Mr Chikwenhere.
Many of the traffic lights, even when fully functional, have been overtaken by time.
There are many busy intersections where if the traffic light malfunctions even for a short period of time, mayhem ensues that can even endanger the public.
To curb the issue of congestion there is need for the speedy implementation of the urban transport plan that was recommended by former Harare Mayor the late Solomon Tawengwa.
The plan states that no commuter omnibus should be allowed into the central business district. An urban transport policy is critical if the challenge of congestion is to be dealt with.
Due to the increased volumes of traffic in the capital, it is clear that there is need to put in a new plan or to fully implement the blue print as the current scenario cannot be sustained.
The other problem is the difficulty in getting into or out of the city centre, especially to and from the west.
The city council has managed to improve traffic flows and safety within the city centre with a wholesale demarcation of one-way streets.
Once in the city centre it is much easier to move around but the catch is centred on getting into the city centre in the mornings and out in the evening.
Few one-way streets reach the eastern, western or northern edge roads, and none penetrate that southern barrier railway.
Online Reporter