The association upset by the Voortrekker Road plans

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Damage to Maitland Cemetery along Voortrekker Road in Kensington is worsening. PHOTO: Nomzamo Yuku

A public participation process for the upgrade of a section of Voortrekker Road in Maitland and Kensington is underway.

Last week, the City announced that it was reviewing a 58-year-old road project linked to this stretch of road in order to improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety.

The city says the improvements are part of the Congestion Reduction Program, which focuses on projects that will help improve morning and afternoon traffic when commuters experience traffic jams along major transportation routes.

Voortrekker Road is a thoroughfare between the eastern and western suburbs, connecting commuters from Kuils River and Bellville to Parow, Goodwood, Epping and Observatory.

The public is invited to comment on the proposals for the first phase, which consists of:

  • The realignment of Camp Road to Beach Road and the signage of this intersection with Voortrekker Road.
  • Widening of Koeberg Road between Voortrekker Road and Royal Road.
  • The splitting of Voortrekker Road between Station Road in Maitland and 12th Avenue in Kensington, as well as improvements to intersections to ease traffic flow and the provision of pedestrian and cycle lanes.
  • Pedestrian walkways over the train tracks near 4th Avenue.
  • Improved intersections at 4th Avenue and 5th Avenue in Kensington.

Rob Quintas, Mayco Member for Urban Mobility, says the Urban Mobility Directorate has undertaken a transport study which analyzed Voortrekker between the M5 and M7, covering a distance of approximately 6km including all modes of transport, from rail to road public and private. transport, walking and cycling.

He says that all road intersections and connections with Voortrekker have also been analyzed 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 improvements which form part of our new concept. All submissions will be considered before we finalize this concept plan for detailed design. »

He says if all goes according to plan, the City intends to start construction work by 2025.

But the Kensington Factreton Residents and Ratepayers Association (KFRRA) says it has had “extensive engagements” with the city over the past 10 years regarding proposals for this road and says it is “saddened” that none of these proposals are mentioned.

Leslie Swartz, president of the KFRRA, said some of the proposals presented to them previously included extending Frans Conradie Drive to the Century City Station car park and access from Sable Road. And extending Prestige Drive along 1st Avenue, which will cross the railway line to the N1, with access for residents.

“What happened to the airfield road extension, the historic Acre road project? What happened to the proposed two-way one-way street at the Voortrekker Road/5th Avenue intersection or the proposed raised island to prevent vehicles from turning right at the Voortrekker Road/4th Avenue intersection?

Swartz says the traffic congestion is not limited to rush hour and extends all the way up Voortrekker Road to Jakes Gerwel. He says traffic is particularly congested on Saturdays when mourners, attending 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 do not provide clear solutions to alleviate congestion.

“Non-motorized transport (NMT) works wonders given the high crime rate along Voortrekker Road. By participating in the Local Spatial Development Framework and the Environmental Management Framework, which is currently undergoing public comment, we cannot help but believe that little attention is given in the proposal to land use. , intensification, character and movement along the Voortrekker Road Corridor as proposed. in this document.

Swartz says they believe previous proposals presented to them by the city will be watered down and that as an association they would “like to see them brought back” to the table with said implementation timelines.

“We are happy to participate in this process and offer our perspectives based on our intimate local knowledge and history of the Kensington, Factreton areas,” says Swartz.

The City indicates that given the scale of this project, the upgrade will be implemented in phases. Quintas says the legal public consultation process is an important aspect of this undertaking.

“Funding can only be made available for construction once the detailed design is complete after residents have commented on the draft design.”

Comment:

  • www.capetown.gov.za/haveyoursay
  • Submit your hand-written comments to Sub-Council Office 15, Pinelands Training Centre, St Stephens Road, Central Square, Pinelands.

The City is also organizing two public information days where residents and interested parties can ask questions of the authorities for greater clarity.

The information days are:

  • Today (August 23) at Maitland Town Hall from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday, August 30 at the Kensington Civic Center from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Residents have until Thursday, September 15 to express themselves.

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