How do we promote our area if the City of Cape Town ignores basic safety at Fisherman’s Lane at Strandfontein Pavilion?
This is the question posed by a frustrated Strandfontein resident, Mario Oostendurp, from the Proudly Strandfontein civic organisation. Residents are up in arms over the road that has been washed away and deteriorated over years (“Damaged beach road angers residents”, Plainsman, September 7 2016). They are specifically upset that the City has not done anything on the road for the festive season.
The road referred to locals as the “broken road” has more holes since the Plainsman reported on the matter, stretching for more than 30 metres. Mr Oostendurp said the City is not addressing the immediate safety issues regarding the access by visitors on foot at the Pavilion. “The section of the road remains unsecured and open despite previous requests to have this area sectioned off. The talk of redevelopment is something we need to see on paper, however, until such time, safety of visitors needs to be a priority,” he said. When the Plainsman visited the site last Friday December 30 before the start of New Year festivities there were no safety warning signage or barriers.
Cyril Hendricks from Mitchell’s Plain said the road has broken off quickly and is dangerous for children and fishers. “I am disappointed in the City for not fixing the road for the festive season. The children are playing on this road and it is easy for them to get hurt and even fall into the water and hurt themselves against the rocks. “I now have to balance on small pieces of rocks when fishing,” he said. Residents also had their say on the issue on Facebook.
Faizel van de Meulen said the road should be closed off with visible danger signs. “No concern for public safety,” he said.
Fisherman Martin Davids said: “I was fishing to the right of that big hole and the next thing the road gave way and damaged my left leg.” Posting a reply to Mr Oostendurp on Facebook, the City of Cape Town said it had installed signage and danger tape to cordon off these areas, but some of the tape may have been removed.
“We will investigate and reinstate the barriers and signage where necessary. We will also look at installing hardier barriers,” said the City.
The Plainsman sent a detailed media enquiry to the City on Thursday December 29, but by the time this edition went to print they had yet to respond.
