After years of potholes, burst pipes, and uneven surfaces, Hartley Road in Overport is finally receiving a much-needed upgrade — a new layer of tar — following relentless pressure from local leaders and the community.
For many residents and motorists, Hartley Road has long been described as a “road of despair” due to its poor state over the last two to three years. The situation worsened with frequent water pipe bursts, which occurred several times a week before new water lines were installed. Even after the relays were completed, the road itself remained in disrepair, with sections so uneven that some compared it to an off-road track.
Particularly problematic was the intersection of East Street, Hartley Road, and Silver Oak Avenue, where drivers often struggled to navigate the damaged surface.
Now, after continuous calls for action, the road is finally being resurfaced — a development welcomed by Ward 27 councillor Ernest Smith and local civic organisations.
“After years of frustration, we are finally seeing Hartley Road getting a new lease on life. This progress comes after constant pressure from myself and organisations such as the Overport Ratepayers Association. My gratitude goes out to the ORA and residents alike — we banded together and pushed the municipality to address this issue for the betterment of the community.” said Smith.
He emphasised the power of collaboration between the community and city authorities in achieving meaningful change.
“This hand-in-hand approach shows how much stronger we are when we stand together to hold the municipality accountable for its mandate to serve residents and ratepayers,” he added.
A resident commented on the resurfing of Hartley road saying that he hopes that this long-awaited improvement will restore safety, smooth traffic flow, and bring much-needed relief to one of Overport’s most important roads.
