Reaction to Strand one-way mixed

Reactions from local residents and business owners to the proposed conversion of a portion of Beach Road and Haarlem Street in Strand into one-way streets, to accommodate the second phase of the Strand sea wall rehabilitation project, are mixed.

The City of Cape Town had called on residents in Strand to comment on the public participation process, which commenced on Monday 22 August and will close for comments on Thursday 22 September.

The City’s Coastal Management branch will construct a new promenade and enhance the existing sea wall along Beach Road.

To achieve this, the City proposes to convert a portion of Beach Road into a one-way street for west-bound traffic and for Haarlem Street to be converted into a one-way to accommodate east-bound traffic.

The City invites all residents and interested and affected parties to an open day where City officials will be present to answer questions, and note comments.

This event is being hosted at the Strand Town Hall, on the corner of Fagan Street and Main Road, from 16:00 to 19:00 today (Wednesday 31 August).

“Our teams are busy finalising the design and implementation of the second phase of the Strand sea wall rehabilitation project,” said Eddie Andrews, Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee member for Spatial Planning and Environment.

“But to achieve the successful implementation of the next phase, it became evident changes needed to be made to the current layout of roads in the surrounding residential area.

Locals wishing to comment can visit www.capetown.gov.za/haveyoursay, attend the open day, send an email to Transport.News@capetown.gov.za (please quote reference 210222301) or hand-deliver written submissions to Subcouncil 8, Municipal Offices, Piet Retief Street, Strand.

DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette pulsed some locals on the matter.

Kenneth Smith, Manager of Ocean Basket Strand: “Any construction in front of our business will affect our trade. I understand it will bring about a sense of more security, but we’re concerned about whether there’d be any parking for our customers. If the proposal is beneficial to us, then yes we’ll support it. We’re just concerned about how much the construction will affect us from a business point of view.”

Tara and Lee Drake, owners of Ocean Breeze Hotel: “Technically it’s a good idea, but there’ll be a lot more traffic in Haarlem Street, and provision must be made to reduce traffic jams. There needs to be a designated loading zone and improved parking in Haarlem Street. We’re also concerned about the chaos that may be created if constriction takes place over December. We’ll definitely be at the open day to have our concerns noted.” Photos: Jamey Gordon

Carl Punt, Ward Councillor: “Note that it’s just a small portion in Beach Road that’s going to be one way, and this change will assist the City in implementing the second phase of the sea wall as the protection of infrastructure is critical. With the design of the sea wall, some changes will occur, and this one-way proposal is one of those changes. So far, those residents who communicated to me directly were very positive and looking forward to the construction of the new sea wall in this part of Strand. The sea wall, in its existing form, also brought a lot of change, and today Phase 1 is the pride of Strand, with all the economic benefits it brought, and the same will occur with Phase 2.”