The ongoing construction of the Strand promenade has ignited a debate over the placement of access points. This follows the assertion by a resident that only two access points – located on either side of the current construction – would be built.
“The positioning of two access points at the two furthest ends of the beach is thoughtless and impractical. A beach which for over a hundred years has been freely accessible by local residents and visitors, will henceforth be so difficult to access that it will probably lose its popularity,” said Louis Bouwer, who added that “this mistake was made with phase one of the promenade and should not be repeated”.
Questions regarding the rationale behind the design were directed to the City of Cape Town. In response, Eddie Andrews, deputy mayor and Mayoral Committee member for Spatial Planning and Environment explained that the new coastal protection structure, including a concrete seawall and revetment, was designed to protect infrastructure while balancing the needs of various users along the 900 m coastline.
He emphasised that the design process was “highly complex”, incorporating environmental considerations, socio-economic impacts, and financial sustainability.
He stated that the inclusion of seven formal beach access points, two of which are wheelchair-friendly, was a “key component” to improve accessibility.
“Any alteration could undermine the overall effectiveness of the design, delay the project and necessitate a costly process of redesign and re-engagement with both internal and external stakeholders, as well as potentially leading to delays in approvals and authorisations,” he said.
