The recent partial opening of Clarence Drive with six
stop-and-go sections in place on 11 December gave motorists the opportunity to
make use of this stunning scenic route that suffered serious damage during the
Heritage Day long weekend floods.
However, an investigation was recently conducted after the Western
Cape Department of Infrastructure received complaints about near head-on
collisions in the stop-and-go sections on Clarence Drive.
The investigation revealed a worrying trend. Road users
simply stop in the closed sections to take walks, take pictures, go to the
water’s edge and the like. Once done, they simply rejoin traffic irrespective
of which direction traffic is coming from. This has led to several near head-on
collisions.
The Department of Infrastructure wishes to inform road users
that the closed sections are not designated parking spots but are closed for
safety reasons. These sections of the road have suffered structural damage and
are not safe to use. The damage is, in many cases, not visible to the naked eye
and lies beneath the surface.
To mitigate this unlawful behaviour, the department has
appointed additional flagmen along closed sections.
“I am extremely concerned about this reckless trend. Should
it persist, we have two other options. One is to have escort vehicles in place,
that will escort a group of vehicles through the closed sections to ensure all
vehicles move through the various points before letting traffic through from
the opposite direction. Not only will this have a significant cost implication
but could result in an additional 45 – 60 minutes in travel time along this
route,” says provincial minister of infrastructure, Tertuis Simmers.
He mentions that the other option is a full closure of
Clarence Drive.
“This will have a severely negative impact on the area from
a traffic flow and economic perspective. While this will remain our last
resort, our top priority must be the safety of all road users. I am calling on
road users to please take the risk seriously and act responsibly. I have
contacted the Overstrand Municipality and there will be an increased presence
of traffic and law enforcement officers along the route to root out dangerous
road user behaviour,” added Simmers.
“Should it be necessary, closing it again, due to the
disregard of road safety, would be incredibly disheartening,” he continued.
Current indications are that repairs to this route will cost
close to R80 million. This cost includes repairs to the Palmiet Bridge, which
also sustained damage. The project is currently projected to be completed by
the end of the third quarter of 2024.
