CAPE TOWN – To curb the frequent heavy vehicle accidents on Kloof Nek Road the City of Cape Town is proposing a heavy vehicle lane with a compulsory stop about 150m downhill from the pedestrian signal at Tafelberg Road.
Residents and interested parties have until Thursday 16 October to comment and provide their views on the proposal.
The section of the road is prone to accidents involving heavy motor vehicles.
In September last year a large cement truck lost control and reportedly hit 17 vehicles before hitting a wall and stopping in Kloof Nek Road.
Kloof Nek Road is a Class 2 Major Arterial route, meaning it is an important access route that carries large volumes of traffic.
The speed limit along Kloof Nek Road is 50km/h in both directions.
The City said a recent investigation found the average speed for heavy vehicles was 51 km/h northbound (downhill); and 47 km/h southbound; and for light vehicles it was 57km/h northbound and 56km/h southbound. It was found that the majority of road users do not exceed the speed limit, however, there were isolated instances of speeding.
Motorists must adapt driving style
According to Rob Quintas, Mayco member for urban mobility, as at Wednesday 30 April there had been at least four crashes involving heavy vehicles, with one more recent incident bringing the total to five reported on this road.
“The frequency of crashes along Kloof Nek Road suggests that both the steep slopes and sharp curves along the road could potentially contribute to hazardous driving conditions. It is therefore important to stress that driver behaviour plays a key role motorists must adapt their driving style to suit the environmental conditions.”
The proposed changes along Kloof Nek Road include:
. For the current righthand lane to accommodate general traffic, while the lefthand lane will be reserved for heavy vehicles only, for a limited distance of about 250 m.
. For relevant signage and road markings to be displayed, restricting heavy vehicles to the demarcated section of roadway, and requiring them to stop, engage low gear and maintain low gear for the remainder of the downhill section.
Francine Higham, Ward 77 councillor,said: “These proposals build on interventions already introduced to curb speeding and improve safety, following several serious accidents.
“We are committed to working with communities to find effective solutions, and I want to thank the Urban Mobility Directorate for their ongoing efforts to respond to residents’ concerns.”
Some road users took to social media to share their views.
One resident said: “I often use the pedestrian crossing near the bottom of Kloof Nek Road. Most vehicles seem to just go through it if the traffic official is not there at school times.”
Another resident said while the proposal is useful there should be a limit on the size of the heavy vehicles.
Resident Chris von Ulmenstein believes the proposal might “cause more accidents”.
“The trucks are not going to want to keep in the dedicated lane and there will be nothing stopping them from moving into a fast lane.”
Residents are invited to attend an information session tomorrow (17 September) from 15:00 to 18:00 at Council chambers, 11th floor, 44 Wale Street, Cape Town.
Quintas said: “The aim of the proposal is to ensure that heavy vehicles stop as near to the crest of the hill as possible. “While travelled speeds are still reasonably low and mechanical friction-based braking systems have not yet overheated.
How to comment:
. Send an email to urbanmobility.CT@capetown.gov.za (quote reference: 110252604)
. Submit online: Visit www.capetown.gov.za/haveyoursay
. Submit a written submission: Subcouncil 16 office: 11th floor, 44 Wale Street, Cape Town.
. Hand delivered: Kloof Street Library, 122B Kloof Street, Gardens.
