After the
Kouga Municipality conducted early morning assessments on September 18, it was
found that the causeway between Aston Bay and Paradise Beach suffered severe
damage caused by the spring tide and inclement weather over the weekend.
Kouga executive
mayor, Hattingh Bornman said that to ensure the safety of their residents and
that of their infrastructure, the causeway will remain closed while repairs are
underway.
“Should repair
work be sufficiently conducted, a second assessment will be done this afternoon
of which the results will be communicated to residents,” said Bornman.
He has
asked residents to kindly adhere to the closure of the causeway and to not take
any unnecessary risks.
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In addition
to the damage to the causeway, there was damage to roads, and walkways, a breach
of the spit in St Francis Bay, infrastructure damage to the Krom
River Pump and Substation in St Francis Bay, damage to the lifeguard tower in St
Francis Bay and damage to Aston Bay Community Hall and parking area.
Bornman
said that clean-up work already started yesterday, September 17.
“The total
cost of damage must still be determined. We are applying for additional
emergency funding, but urgent repair work is underway,” said Bornman.
