A DANGEROUS intersection seperating Heinz Park and The Leagues has been put under the spotlight following a series of accidents and a high level of traffic congestion in the area.

The intersection links Daisy Street in Heinz Park and White Hart Lane in The Leagues with Eisleben Road.

Proportional representative councillor for ward 75 and 88, Michael Pietersen, says he is constantly confronted by residents and motorists about the intersection.

Pietersen says: “We have a serious situation with fatal accidents occurring almost every weekend.

“I can relate with the residents, as I, myself, was almost a statistic at that intersection a week ago when another vehicle almost drove into me.

“The community is scared to cross the road because they fear that they will be knocked over by a car.”

The intersection is on Eisleben Road, which is one of the main roads in Mitchell’s Plain, linking it to Crossroads and Philippi. The road is a major route for taxis and serves as a drop-off and collecting point for passengers. “It becomes almost impossible to get access to Eisleben Road at peak hour, with taxis standing at the corners, cars coming from both directions and drivers waiting to get a chance to get onto the main road,” Pietersen says.

He pleads with all motorists who travel in that direction to approach the intersection with care and treat it as a four-way stop.

“Allow easy access and entry for other vehicles while no calming system is in place,” he says.

“Be on the look-out for pedestrians and to please put on your headlights when approaching dangerous intersections.”

Brett Herron, the Mayoral Committee Member for Transport, Roads and Stormwater, says the City of Cape Town’s transport department has received requests for the installation of a traffic signal at the intersection.

“The installation of traffic lights has been approved and is currently in the design phase. A detailed programme for installation will be prepared in the next few weeks as the design reaches completion. The project will be completed by the end of June,” he says.

He adds that the Department’s Public Transport Operations staff will observe the situation at the intersection within the next week and engage with taxi drivers.