Strandfontein residents and fisher folk from across the peninsula, who frequent the deteriorated Fisherman’s Lane at Strandfontein Pavilion, are concerned about traffic congestion, safety and security at the site, which is due for a R25 million upgrade (“Plan for repairs”, Plainsman, May 22).
They raised their concerns during a public meeting, with the sole agenda item of Fisherman’s Lane, better known among locals as “the broken road”, with Elton Jansen, councillor for Ward 43, at the Strandfontein community hall on Wednesday July 24.
They said it was all good and well that the area would be revamped but that on any given day residents could not leave Strandfontein via Spine Road and Jakes Gerwel Drive if there was a protest on Jakes Gerwel Drive and that beach-goers would sit in traffic for hours in summer, during public holidays and on Sundays.
Mr Jansen said traffic was a city-wide problem but that the re-alignment of Baden Powell Drive – of which there would be nothing left in 20 years’ time because of erosion – and other upgrades may form part of a coastal development node.
“There are difficulties in Muizenberg as well. You sit in peak-hour traffic the whole day and there is no parking,” he said.
He suggested an upgrade and increase of public transport to the area.
Mr Jansen said there would be monthly meetings to discuss, among others, economic, social and cultural developments on either side of the pavilion.
Strandfontein resident Achmat Chotia demanded more services for users of the False Bay coast.
He said a lot had been done along the Atlantic Seaboard and that with the construction of the False Bay College, off Spine Road in Bayview, a dual carriageway was mandatory.
Mr Jansen steered the conversation back to the revamp of the broken road, the construction of which is due to start next year.
The revamp includes the possibility of an additional braai area, improved lighting, ei–ther a security kiosk on site, developing the site to being busy or occupied 24 hours, and not just during office hours, when most people go home.
Mark Solomons, from Retreat, said a lot needed to be done for development needs to work in favour of linking the community with the coast.
He said a lot of the City of Cape Town’s budget was spent on the design and that the first designs should in fact come
from the community, who would use it, take pride in it and maintain it.
Paul Potts, from Strandfontein, said more needed to be done to ensure safety and security, which would encourage people to use amenities.
Within the next two weeks the community would have to comment on three proposed designs.
Consultant Knights Piesold was appointed and commenced with design works at the end of May.
They in turn appointed a specialist coastal engineering sub-consultant, WML Coast (Pty) Ltd, South Africa, to assist with coastal engineering of sea defences.
In response to a Plainsman enquiry Marian Nieuwoudt, mayoral committee member for spatial planning and environment, said the topographical survey and geotechnical investigations had been carried out for design purposes and had been completed this month.
The inception report was due last month.
She said design on the upgrading of the link road alignments and west parking area were due today, Wednesday July 31, and that the sub-contractor had to come up with additional options for sea defences that are being assessed by them.
Speaking at the meeting, Gregg Oelofse, the City of Cape Town manager for coastal management, integrated urban management, said following engagement with the community, the municipality would review the concept design and approve a preferred option.
A detailed design, with specific reference to the sea wall’s defence and tender requirements need to be completed by the end of September.
Tender approval and advertising will take about 10 months, between October and July next year.
There would a tender award, appeal and documentation, with construction starting on October 1 2020 and completed
11 months later if all goes to plan.
Mr Oelofse said the community should be involved in suggesting security strategies and the implementation of services.
