A public participation process for the upgrade of a section of Voortrekker Road in Maitland and Kensington is underway.
Last week, the City announced it is reviewing a 58-year-old road scheme related to this stretch of the road to improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety.
The City says these upgrades form part of the congestion relief programme, which focuses on projects that will assist to improve traffic flow in the morning and afternoon when commuters experience congestion along key transport routes.
Voortrekker Road is an artery between the eastern and western suburbs, connecting commuters from Kuils River and Bellville with Parow, Goodwood, Epping and Observatory.
The public is requested to comment on the proposals for the first phase, which entails:
- The realignment of Camp Road to Beach Road and the signalisation of this intersection with Voortrekker Road.
- The widening of Koeberg Road between Voortrekker Road and Royal Road.
- The dualling of Voortrekker Road between Station Road in Maitland and 12th Avenue in Kensington, together with improvements at intersections to assist with traffic flow, and the provision of walking and cycling lanes.
- Pedestrian bridges over the railway line in the vicinity of 4th Avenue.
- Upgrading of the intersections at 4th Avenue and 5th Avenue in Kensington.
Rob Quintas, Mayco member for urban mobility, says the urban mobility directorate undertook a transport study that analysed Voortrekker between the M5 and the M7, covering a distance of about 6 km, including all transport modes from rail, to road-based public and private transport, pedestrian movement, and cycling.
He says all intersections and road links with Voortrekker were also analysed in terms of current efficiency and future transport demands.
“We have reviewed the 1964 road scheme for Voortrekker Road from the M5 to the M7 and I encourage the public to comment on these proposed upgrades that form part of our new concept design. All submissions will be taken into consideration before we finalise this concept plan for a detailed design.”
He says if all goes as planned, the City intends to commence with the construction work by 2025.
But the Kensington Factreton Residents and Ratepayers Association (KFRRA) says they have had “extensive engagements” with the City for the past 10 years regarding proposals for this road and says they are “saddened” that none of these proposals are mentioned.
Leslie Swartz, chair for the KFRRA, says some of the proposals that were presented to them previously include the extension of Frans Conradie Drive to the Century City Station park ‘n ride facility and access from Sable Road. And extending Prestige Drive along 1st Avenue, which will cross the Railway line up to the N1, with access for residents.
“What happened to the Aerodrome Road extension, the historic Acre Road Scheme? Whatever happened to the proposed two-lane one-way at the Voortrekker Road/5th Avenue intersection or the proposed elevated island to stop vehicles turning right at the Voortrekker Road/4th Avenue intersection?
Swartz says traffic congestion is not just limited to peak hours and extends all the way along Voortrekker Road to Jakes Gerwel. He says traffic is especially congested on Saturdays when mourners, who attend funerals at Maitland Cemetery, have no off-road parking. Swartz says the City’s current proposals are “vague and extremely unclear” for the Kensington Factreton community and does not provide clear solutions to alleviate the congestion.
“Non motorised transport (NMT) makes one wonder given the high crime rate along Voortrekker Road. Participating in the Local Spatial Development Framework and Environmental Management Framework, which is currently out for public comment we cannot help but believe that little attention is given in the proposal to the land use, intensification, character, and movement along the Voortrekker Road corridor as proposed in that document.”
Swartz says they believe that the previous proposals that were presented to them by the City will be mitigated and as the association they “would like to see them brought back” onto the table again with said time frames for implementation.
“We are happy to participate in this process and to offer our perspectives based on our intimate local knowledge and history of the Kensington, Factreton areas,” says Swartz.
The City says given the magnitude of this project, the upgrade will be implemented in phases. Quintas says the statutory public commenting process is an important aspect of this undertaking.
“Funding can be made available for construction only once the detailed design has been concluded after residents have commented on the draft concept design.”
To comment:
- Send an email to Transport.News@capetown.gov.za (quote reference: 110222301)
- www.capetown.gov.za/haveyoursay
- Submit written comments by hand at the Subcouncil 15 office, Pinelands Training Centre, St Stephens Road, Central Square, Pinelands.
The City is also hosting two public information days where residents and affected parties can ask officials questions for clarity.
The information days are:
- Today (23 August) at the Maitland Town Hall from 15:00 to 19:00
- Tuesday 30 August at the Kensington Civic Centre from 16:00 to 19:00
Residents have until Thursday 15 September to comment.
