MyPE

Community Business Directory, Event Listings, News and Views from Gqeberha, Nelson Mandela Bay

Just why are the street lights in Western Road on during the day?

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Dear Alan

I have been receiving your daily newsletter for quite some years and thank you for a superb website.

I am a resident in Cuylerholme Rooms, Western Road, Port Elizabeth. A friend, Chris van der Westhuizen, who also stays here and occupies the room next to mine, took some photos of the street lights in Western Road, which apparently do not get switched off and are on almost day and night.

Our own electricity levy has been drastically increased by our lessor as from June 1, 2013 due to the heavy increase by our same municipality that does not even switch off street lights!

You seem to be the right person to send this concern to and I hope that you can address this matter. Looking forward to hear from you.

Kind regards

Marie Antoinette Voges

In the interests of fair play I asked Marie the following (her replies in italics):

  • Is this a daily occurrence? We have noticed that it happens quite frequently, but not on a daily basis.
  • How long has it been going on for? Since the 11th and the lights were never switched off until after about 11:00 today.
  • Is it accompanied by repairs to the streetlights? We can see no street repairs taking place.

I, personally am still waiting for a reply to an e-mail that I directed to the NMBMM JOC (waterleaks@mandelametro.gov.za) on 31 May 2013 and have lost trust in that avenue to report problems around town, so I have sent a link to this article to my friend in communications asking to shed some light on this concern as well as give more information as to who needs to be contacted when our citizens notice an opportunity to help save ratepayers some money, and eagerly await his reply.

Lights on during the day
Western Road Street Street lights still on at 13h50 on 11 June 2013 in Western Road. Image: Chris van der Westhuizen
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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. So while I wait for NMB Communications to continue to ignore me I asked Ward 5 (Jeremy Davis) for their comment which went so; “That is not my responsibility.”

    I then asked who was responsible and was directed to Ward 2 as that side of Western Road falls under Ward 2 (Dean Biddulph).

    So I have now asked Dean for comment.

  2. So it looks like NMB Communications DID NOT ignore me as my mail was sent to Lesly who forwarded it to Noel who asked Valmai to check with Paul and Nico if the street lights in question were part of the cable faults that Paul and Nico were working on.

    Jammer Kupido and thank you for helping solve this mystery.

  3. Received this emailed explanation:

    Please take note – the streetlights are on for a reason!!!!!!

    To be able to fix any street light cable fault, the artisan has to know which lights are working and which are faulty. As the repairs are done during the day – the lights must stay on for them.- and depending on the fault, this can be for quite a while. Our artisan is still currently working on these lights. All will return back to normal once the problem is found and all faults are repaired.

    Thanking you kindly

    South Depot Staff.