Cape Town police say safety measures have been put in place to curb crime and lawlessness when the Mother City plays host to the first-ever Cape Town E-Prix in Green Point on Saturday 25 February.
On Saturday, the Green Point and Waterfront precinct will be set ablaze as 22 cars will race their way through the area for the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, a first on the African continent.
The race will see Formula E’s third Generation cars, which reach top speeds of 320 Kph, race on the track that runs from Vlei Road, down Beach Road in Mouille Point and Fritz Sonnenberg Road. The 2,94 km, 12-turn track is predicted to be one of the fastest in the series.
The City says more than 20 000 people are expected to line up in spectator areas along the track area.
Col Andrè Traut, the provincial police spokesperson, says police have partnered with the local authorities and other key roleplayers to ensure the event will be held in a secure environment.
Traut says: “An adequate number of police officers, law enforcement members and security personnel will be deployed at the event. An operational plan to ensure the safety of the public and participants will be executed and a zero-tolerance approach towards crime and lawlessness will be maintained throughout the event.”
Cape Town joins 11 other global cities for Season 9 of the Formula E World Championship, which opened in Mexico City.
Formula E cars run on 100 percent renewable energy and there is a major focus on developing alternative energy solutions.
James Barclay, Jaguar Racing Team Director, says in the same way that motor racing had been critical in advancing vehicle technology, Formula E played a key role in advancing electric technology for car consumers.
Barclay says: “One of the objectives of Formula E is to advance sustainable human progress through the power of electric racing. The technical regulations are designed so that we focus our investment and resources on the rapid developing of electric vehicle power trains.”
He adds: “So rather than aerodynamics, and having cars that look different, in this generation, it’s about focusing our investment on the power train. And at the event in Cape Town, you’ll see the most advanced electric cars in the world.”
Explaining the technicalities of the race, Barclay says: “This is a real technical test bed for electric vehicle technology. When you’re trying to race 22 other drivers, 11 teams and six manufacturers all of the highest standard, you have to push the boundaries like nothing else. We are finding every area of efficiency, every area of performance to beat world-class competitors.”
As part of the greater transport logistics around the event, race promoter e-Movement has also announced Uber as an official transport partner to the event, and an official partner to E-Fest.
Iain Banner, e-Movement chair, says: “Uber has a 2040 strategy to go electric and this relationship is an important step towards that goal. This relationship goes much deeper than just the race, however, as Uber will also be partnering with us in the Go Green Africa journey which is where the action around sustainability will happen.”
The City says staging Formula E will assist in raising awareness of the adverse effects of air pollution.
Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis says: “We are positioning Cape Town as a leading city for renewable energy and a major event such as Formula E aligns perfectly with this strategic objective. A ticket to the event gives spectators more than just a race day experience as the festival also offers an E-Village dedicated to the fans. These initiatives will assist in strengthening and growing the Western Cape’s strong green economy ecosystem.”
JP Smith, the Mayco member for safety and security, says preparations for the event are on track.
“In addition to the extensive economic benefits for our city, this event’s legacy will deliver improved road infrastructure for the precinct which will benefit residents and allow for better access to non-motorised transport. This all forms part of the event’s core goal to transition to a greener future.”
Residents are reminded that certain road closures will be in place for the event build up and on race day.
In addition, the following MyCiTi routes will be affected and commuters can expect delays:
.104 – Civic Centre to Sea Point
.108 – Adderley to Hangberg via Sea Point and Hout Bay Harbour
.109 – Adderley to Hout Bay Beach
.113 – Waterfront to Upper Kloof Street
.118 – Adderley to Hangberg via Sea Point and Imizamo Yethu
.T01 – Waterfront to Dunoon via Civic Centre
Motorists who intend to access Sea Point on these days can use Somerset Road or High Level Road.
The City says traffic service officers will work in conjunction with event marshals to ensure flow management.
To minimise traffic congestion to the Green Point precinct, the city is availing a free MyCiTi shuttle service for ticket holders to travel to the event space.
Buses will depart from the Civic Centre and MyCiTi stations from 07:00 on Saturday.
They service will run on demand.
The last bus from the P12 parking on Green Point Main Road to the Civic Centre will leave at 20:00.
Ticket holders are encouraged to utilise a park and ride system where they park their vehicles in the city centre and take the MyCiTi shuttle to the stadium.
A dedicated E-Hailing drop-and-go area will be established in Parking P15 on Helen Suzman Boulevard
Traut appeals to the public to be vigilant, conceal valuable items and adhere to the necessary legislation applicable to the area.
For a detailed list of road closures visit https://bit.ly/3YPD08Y
