Clement Capes, Plumstead
Tiverton Road subway has now been closed with no update given as to why. I know schoolchildren and the old people used to use it.
It was flooded for more than a year, and even though new handrails were fitted and the walkway outside was tarred, it has now had gates fitted at both ends to close it off, although the water has been left.
Furthermore, the gates are inside and not by the entrance so you can’t see it’s closed until inside the subway. I believe the gates should have been placed at the entrance.
• Rob Quintas, mayoral committee member for urban mobility responds:
The Plumstead Ratepayers Civic Association (PRCA), together with some residents, raised alarm about the unsafe subway, citing that once someone enters and passes through the subway, they are not visible until they reach the other end, exiting on the Main Road side and vice versa.
With the increase in complaints of vagrants and substance abuse users sighted occupying the subway, residents in the immediate surrounds, contacted the PRCA and I, urging for action to be taken.
The matter was tabled by both councillor Emile Langenhoven and councillor Carmen Siebritz, at Sub-council 20 and discussed at length. Whilst in discussion, it was discovered that extensive public participation was held back in 2018 and despite the majority of participants agreeing with the closure then, it did not happen. It was further discussed and both councillors were advised that a second round of public participation was not needed.
I was part of delegation that did a site visit to this area earlier in the year. At this site visit, which included a meeting, a decision was made to close off the clearly dangerous subway. Anyone using the subway is in harm’s way by entering and not knowing what or who is waiting for them underneath.
The maintenance work around the subway is done to prevent deterioration of the infrastructure itself.
The stagnant water is due to faulty water pumps, due to tampering and attempted theft in the subway, and the relevant department is aware of this and is looking into the matter. Moreover, this subway has been subjected to water pumps being stolen on numerous occasions. This once again indicates that closing off the subway is and was the right thing to do.
