The Democratic Alliance (DA) in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) notes the recent minor repair work undertaken by the Department of Transport (DoT) on Marine Drive in Ramsgate following months of continuous pressure from the DA and the Ramsgate Ratepayers Association.
While these interim measures have marginally improved safety ahead of the busy December holiday season, they fall far short of the full rehabilitation that this vital route urgently requires.
Marine Drive has deteriorated into a serious hazard due to years of departmental indecision, poorly coordinated planning, and the unexplained stagnation of the long-promised rehabilitation project. The partial patching at bridge approaches and the closing of several dangerous potholes are welcome, and we appreciate the efforts of the local DoT team, but these are temporary fixes for a problem that demands structural intervention.
Communities along the South Coast have repeatedly raised concerns about vehicle damage, accidents, delays to emergency services, and the broader impact on tourism and the local economy.
The DoT’s ongoing silence and lack of transparency on timelines, contractor appointments, and progress reports are unacceptable.
The DA calls on the KZN Department of Transport to:
1. Release a full project status report on the Marine Drive rehabilitation, including reasons for delays, updated timelines and the scope of outstanding work.
2. Establish a clear communication channel for public representatives, ratepayers, and residents to track projects, report road defects, and receive timely updates.
3. Prioritise Marine Drive as a strategic tourism and economic corridor, ensuring funding allocations are protected and expenditure is monitored.
4. Adopt a maintenance response framework aligned with best international practice, incorporating digital reporting tools, rapid-response teams and quarterly progress briefings.
The DA will continue to hold the department accountable until the full rehabilitation project is completed and Marine Drive is restored to a safe, reliable arterial route for the South Coast community and its visitors.