Staff reporter
Sidewalks play an important role in the lives of residents especially in townships as it channels for pedestrian movement and access. They improve the livelihood of community members as they serve as connectivity and promote walking. As public spaces, sidewalks serve as the front steps to the township, activating streets socially and economically.
Today Merafe community in Region D in Ward16 have safer streets and walkway through the completed upgrading of the pedestrian walkway, consisting of drainage, sidewalks, kerbs and paving, street lighting and landscaping, implemented by the JDA on behalf of the City of Johannesburg.
The upgraded pedestrian walkway which cost R26 million, created jobs and transferred skills to the six SMME’s and local labourers from Merafe community that were employed on the project.
The Johannesburg Development Agency indicated that the upgrade of the railway station will ensure that the residents have a safer, welcoming and walkable environment for pedestrians.
Member of Mayoral Committee for Development Planning, Rueben Masango, said the upgraded pedestrian walkways connecting to all Metrorail stations in Soweto will improve pedestrian mobility and allow safer movement between different amenities and integration with the public transport facilities.
