Omar commits to overload control

Anna Cox THE AUTOMOBILE Association has welcomed the announcement by Transport Minister Dullah Omar in a recent parliamentary media briefing that the strategic goal of the national department will be to protect and maintain South Africa's road infrastructure. Omar said that greater focus would be placed on overloading control, road versus rail transport of freight and increased funding for road maintenance. In February 2001 the AA handed over three studies to Omar with a request that the recommendations made in the research reports be considered and adopted into government's transport policy. These studies were entitled: Road Funding and Maintenance; Heavy Vehicle Overloading, and Traffic Law Enforcement in South Africa. Earlier this year a fourth study, called Road versus Rail Freight Transport was sent to the Department of Transport. Said Petro Kruger, AA spokesperson: "We are pleased to see that these studies have provided a focus point for the National Department of Transport." The minister also mentioned that a total of R30-billion would be required for road improvements during the next five years. According to the AA report on road funding and maintenance, R65billion was already needed at the end of 1999 just to maintain the existing road network. "We are concerned about his statement that funds would be derived from existing toll roads to support his medium-term plan of action which has been endorsed by Cabinet. The road infrastructure is the lifeblood of the economy and as such should enjoy priority from Government to ensure that the network is well maintained. This would not only avoid the backlog on maintenance which currently exists but also ensure the safety of all road users," said Kruger.