Residents of Oklahoma Street in Macassar continue to express dissatisfaction over the controversial conversion of Oklahoma Street into a one-way thoroughfare.
Concerns regarding insufficient public consultation, non-compliance with the new traffic flow, and increased congestion was first reported last year (“One-way street one big problem for Macassar residents”, DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette, 13 November 2024). However, to date the residents claim the City of Cape Town is yet to address this issue despite assurances that it would do so.
“No-one has reached out to us, schools have re-opened now and we’re still sitting with this problem,” said Adiel Rhoda, whose family home is situated right opposite Oklahoma Primary School, where the one-way is in effect.
According to Councillor Rob Quintas, Mayoral Committee member for urban mobility, the initial public-participation process for the one-way conversion “included residents from the surrounding streets which are perceived as not being affected directly by these changes.” He acknowledged that a more targeted consultation process with residents immediately adjacent to Oklahoma Street is now underway through subcouncil.
“This is a common motorist behaviour issue when a one-way road conversion is newly implemented,” Quintas explained, addressing reports that school staff, teachers, and parents are disregarding the one-way direction. “Motorists usually become familiar with the change of direction of traffic over time; when there is deliberate violation of a one-way, traffic services need to get involved.”
Regarding the possibility of reverting Oklahoma Street back to two-way traffic, Quintas stated: “The public-participation process currently underway via subcouncil is expected to provide a way forward and an ultimate decision on this.”
Addressing resident’s concerns about increased congestion and reduced parking availability, Quintas explained that the one-way conversion was specifically implemented to alleviate congestion and create additional on-street parking.
He acknowledged that parking shortages are a widespread issue at schools across the city.
“The City does not have any budget allocation for the construction of parking embayments nor would it be financially sustainable for the City to construct parking at all schools experiencing parking challenges,” he emphasised. “This is why consideration is rather given to the use of one-way roadways which allows for the existing road surface to be marked for parking as necessary.” Quintas also confirmed that adequate traffic calming measures are already in place along Oklahoma Street.
