On Wednesday 1 March, the City’s urban planning and design department held an open day in Salt River where residents had an opportunity to view and give their input regarding the proposed design and upgrades for the Salt River station precinct.
The aim is to make the precinct more pedestrian friendly.
The meeting took place at Salt River Hall.
Aisha Solomon, Project Manager for the City’s urban planning and design department, says the project aims to improve the pedestrian realm, provide more accessibility, and make it a safer and more comfortable space for pedestrians to move to and from the station.
The proposal aims to address:
- Insufficient pedestrian space
- Pedestrian/vehicular conflict
- Safety concerns
- Station precinct degradation
- Trader congestion on sidewalks
The project is estimated at about R19 million.
Warda Rahim, chair of the Salt River Residents Association, says they have mixed emotions about the upgrades and feel that the money can be spent on other improvements in the community.
“While it may enhance the environment and we are in favour of that. We are a bit sceptical because we think this is part of the City’s greater plan to extend the city bowl or gentrification process. But we do feel that the money could be spent more wisely doing other much-needed improvements in the neighbourhood.”
Rahim says safety issues should be addressed instead.
“They can install more cameras and appoint people to monitor those cameras because our crime is out of control in the area.
“Rather pay people to monitor those cameras then at least we know it’s going to be of a greater benefit to all. They can also improve our schools it is in a bad state. It’s about time they plough money into that upgrading where it’s needed.”
Rahim is also calling for proper engagement with the residents.
“They did not have a meeting with the community. During the public participation last year, people had to go to the Salt River Hall, they had blow-ups of the upgrades on the wall and people had to pass their comments.
“During that process, I said they need to set up a meeting with the community and divulge the plans.”
Warren Scheepers, HHO Consultant engineers Project Manager, says they want to make London Road and Portland Road, the main links to the railway station from Albert Road, more pedestrian orientated.
“We will add brick paving to enhance the sidewalks and roadway towards the station.
“There are also some trees being planted along Foundry Road. Part of Foundry Road will be upgraded from the station back towards Alfred Road. Foundry Road will be slightly narrowed to widen the sidewalk on the one side to accommodate pedestrians and trees.”
He says rehabilitation on the corner of Spencer Road linking to Foundry Road is also on the cards.
Scheepers says road layer works will be reconstructed to handle the truck loads in that vicinity.
“We are finalising the detailed design for the project. Once this is done, we will go into the procurement stage that will run for a few months,” he says.
The project is set to start next year.
Yusuf Mohamed, Ward 57 councillor, says the aim is to create an inclusive environment for pedestrians as they travel between the upper Main Road, Victoria Road and to Salt River railway station.
Addressing concerns from residents who feel that the money should be utilised elsewhere in the area Mohamed says the upgrades are necessary.
“I think the money should be spent exactly the way it’s going to be spent because these are major infrastructural upgrades. Money is directed to certain directorates and is to be managed in those respects. So, this directorate is responsible for these types of upgrades so we can’t move the money to something else. It is for urban planning and spatial environment.”
