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Copyright
© 2001 FleetWatch magazine and FleetWatch On-Line.
No
part of this publication may be reproduced without the prior written
permission from the publishers. Views published are not necessarily
those of the publishers.
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This piece below encapsulates the feelings of the locals who live along the R103. It was written by Tsvia Grueneberg, a resident of Nottingham Road and daughter of campaigner Moira Grueneberg. Tsvia's passion is rooted in the day she and her father were nearly killed in a head-on collision with a truck which was overtaking another truck on the narrow Springvale Bridge. It was on that day that the R103 changed forever in Tsvia's mind.
Close your eyes and picture yourself driving along an old winding road, one which is older than your grandparents, or even their grandparents. A road that is held together by lush meadows and lazy cows. Tractors may be seen slowly putt-putting up and down and children play as they make their way to school. This road is a slow winding one which unravels its soft stories to you as you meander on by.
Imagine a fairytale village where all the inhabitants are in no hurry and always stop to greet those they know or to help those they have never seen before. The schools are filled with rosy cheeked, eager children that exude innocence, something long forgotten by today's menacing society. This road creeps through this quaint village, passing by the schools, the shops, the children and the village folk.
This pure and harmonious place has, however, been invaded by a demon, one which is brought in by this meandering road - although no fault of the road's. Tonight I stood and watched as truck after truck slammed on brakes to avoid hitting the one in front. This small road ached under the weight of these monsters and groaned at the thought of more blood being spilt onto its tar. As policeman merely stood and watched and citizens worked to prevent any damage, a massive metal-ripping, blood-spewing, unsightly wreck was eagerly pushing through to rear its grotesque head.
This 'happy' road is the R103. Its livelihood, along with the livelihood of those who live alongside it, is threatened daily. Safety has been torn from the hands of those who travel this tranquil road. Is safety not a basic human right? Or have I forgotten that I am living in South Africa?
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