Wakesleigh Road upgrade: eThekwini ratepayers celebrate plans for 2026

The concerned ratepayers' group, comprising wards 64 and 65, has welcomed the decision to convert Wakesleigh Road in Durban into a dual-carriageway by 2026.

The eThekwini Municipality plans to improve the road and widen or replace the bridge span over a railway line at the busy intersection of Sarnia Road.

A recent report presented at a council meeting by the Human Settlements, Engineering and Transport Committee stated that the eThekwini Transport Authority (ETA) is facilitating the upgrading of Wakesleigh Road.

The municipal report outlined the scope of the roadworks:

• Construction of approximately 1,450m of dual carriageway asphalt road.
• Installation of approximately 2,800m of 450mm diameter storm-water pipelines.
• Construction of approximately 8,700m2 of sidewalks.

The report outlines that this project will impact various privately owned properties. Accordingly, the acquisition of land and the registration of servitudes are required to enable implementation.

At a council meeting in October, the municipality's Real Estate Department was given the go-ahead to begin buying land from private landowners or, if necessary, expropriating it, following the appropriate procurement processes as prescribed by the relevant legislation, including the Municipal Supply Chain Management Policy.

The municipality has budgeted R9 million for land acquisition over two financial-year cycles. 

Nisha Madaree, a spokesperson for the concerned ratepayers' group, wards 64 and 65, said they conducted an in-person inspection, interacted with residents, and consistently interacted with the roads department and municipal officials, detailing residents' plight.

She said the road was narrow and a busy thoroughfare, with the trucks causing congestion and damaging the infrastructure.

Madaree stated that the municipality repeatedly spent money repairing the damage, and the ratepayers advised that a ban on trucks and the widening of the road would be a solution.

“Residents could not enter and exit their driveways safely. This is a residential area, and we do not want trucks on these roads because they are travelling downhill at speeds exceeding the limit. Our request for speed calming measures was also turned down because it was a main road.”

Madaree mentioned that after years of persistent emailing, she continued to persevere.

She stated that a meeting with the roads department was finally held in October 2025, where the proposed plans were presented to residents.

 She was informed that the project would commence in 2026 and would be phased out over four years.

“We asked for proof that the road development would take place, and we were shown the designs. We noted there would be a centre median and that trucks would not be allowed on the road. We noted that the traffic signals at Sarnia Road would be removed to allow free traffic flow. It is a big project and we have asked for transparency in the process so we can monitor the budget and make sure the money is not diverted to another project,” she said.

Madaree said the road upgrade will uplift the community.

“The municipality is finally listening to the ratepayers, and I must commend Mayor Cyril Xaba for responding to our emails and linking us with the relevant municipal departments. We are paying for these services, and we will not sit back and let our area be run down,” she said.

zainul.dawood@inl.co.za