The Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) would not remove illegal suburban boom gates until all applications received had been audited to ensure that the right booms were dismantled, Johannesburg executive mayor Amos Masondo said on Wednesday.
The deadline for applications to legalise the gates ended last Thursday night, and the city council rejected last-minute calls for an extension.
The JRA dismantled boom gates in two areas of the city last Friday, and members of the public removed one last Thursday.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Masondo said: ”To date, the JRA has received in excess of 305 applications on behalf of the city during the past three months.
”These applications are in the process of being audited and assessed. When this audit is complete, the city will be in a better position to identify further illegal closures that need to be removed.”
Masondo said the city acknowledged that security was a serious matter and that many people were affected, but the council contended that most of the boom gates hampered traffic flow and denied people freedom of movement in public places.”
The mayor said an application fee of R6 200 was necessary when applying for boom gates, in order to cover administrative costs, including assessing traffic impact studies.
”Upon rejection of an application, an applicant could also lodge an appeal within 10 working days.”
Masondo said if boom gates were legalised, the approval would be valid for two years.
”Applicants would have to re-apply between three and one months before the expiry date.”
Illegal booms which were removed last week would be impounded until the cost of removal had been paid, or the equipment would be sold at a public auction. – Sapa