Repairs along the East London beachfront are nearing completion after massive waves in August 2017 caused havoc along the Esplanade by breaking sidewalk walls, damaging the sewerage network and crushing cement bins placed on both sides of the road.
Buffalo City Metro spokesman Samkelo Ngwenya said the total cost for the work was around R13m and included: Replacing a sewer over a length of 260m;
Constructing a 280m long reinforced concrete retaining wall, from 1m to 4.5m, anchored into solid rock, to support the embankment and protect the sewage pipeline;
Construction of six new manholes along the new pipeline route. Construction of steps down the embankment;
Cleaning of the existing sewer downstream of the new section, up to the silt trap at the bottom of Moore Street;
Cleaning of the silt traps at the bottom of Moore Street which were both full and partially blocked; and
A new storm water kerb inlet constructed to alleviate local flooding along the Esplanade, opposite the Virgin Active gym.
Ngwenya said work still to be carried out included the installation of a 1.2m high fence on top of the retaining wall and monitoring of repairs to footpath and embankment seeding to ensure the grass grew.
The news delighted businesses and street vendors operating along the Esplanade. Ivy Chinaire, who had her craft merchandise washed away by the sea during the August 2017 storm, said: “They have really tried their best to make sure the place is clean again.
“At least the repairs were not affecting us. We were ok, business continued, and we were not stopped when they were fixing up this place.
“I hope for better business and tourists who will visit our coast to enjoy and support us. This will attract many people to the area towards the festive period.”
Chinaire added: “They should put toilets and sheds for people. We would really appreciate if they do that because people do not have a place where they can go and sit nicely like in Durban and Cape Town’s coastal areas. We are still behind here in East London.”
Nancy Kuria of Africa Curios also hopes the repairs will boost business. “When they were working, cars could not come and park in front of our business because sometimes the road would be closed till late and that has been a major problem for us. It is much better now. The place is nice. We hope the developments here will also help boost our businesses.”
Quigney ward councillor Vusumzi Njece said: “We are pleased with how the contractor worked fast, they dug and put a wall up to prevent the damage from happening again. This was not budgeted for but it was an emergency because we can’t have a broken sewer at the coast, that is where people go for fun.”..