Residents have until 10 November to comment on the proposed construction of universally accessible walkway and cycle lane infrastructure planned for Kuils River.
According to a report presented to subcouncil 21 on the City of Cape Town’s Non-Motorised Transport (NMT) Kuils River project (within Wards 11 and 19) construction will commence in 2024 and will run until 30 June 2025.
The project entails construction of new surface sidewalks, rehabilitation of existing sidewalks, upgrading of parks, soft and hard landscaping, as well as the installation of streetlights.
The City’s directorate for urban mobilty says universal access means designing a city that is easy for all citizens to use and move around in. Residents, including those with disabilities, should be able to access public spaces and transport systems.
According to the City the majority of residents walk as part of their daily journeys, hence the aim is to invest in NMT infrastructure that will provide safer travel options for pedestrians and cyclists, enhance access to public transport services, particularly for vulnerable users, and promote cleaner and carbon-neutral travel. Traffic calming is also mentioned as critical to the safety of pedestrians and cyclists.
The proposals include new NMT facilities (sidewalks or walk/cycle lanes) along:
- Frost Drive (between Belhar Main Road and Nooiensfontein Road);
- Saxdowns Road (between Helderrant Road and Langverwacht Road);
- Amandel Road (between Church Street and Langverwacht Road);
- Church Street (between Hartenberg Street and Amandel Road);
- Sandalwood Road (between Saxdowns Road and Amandel Road) – a 3 m wide path for use by both pedestrians and cyclists;
- Bosman Street (between Annandale Street and Van Riebeeck Road;
- Laurencedale Road (between Old Nooiensfontein Road and Kuils River canal);
- Sarepta Street (between Van Riebeeck Road and Protea Avenue);
- Pioneer Street (between Van Riebeeck Road and Bamford Street);
- Maisel Street (between Excelsior Street and the Kuils River canal) and
- Highbury Road (between the railway line and Canterbury Road).
Upgrades
According to the project presentation the sidewalks along Van Riebeeck Road (between Sarepta Street and Langverwacht Road) are earmarked to be resurfaced. The existing two-metre wide asphalt surfaced sidewalk on the northern side of Belhar Main Road, described to be “in a very poor condition with signs of cracking, settlement and severe surface failures” will be rehabilitated.
The existing sidewalk along Nooiensfontein Road, between Grove Street and Highbury Street, is also in poor condition. This sidewalk will be widened from the current 1,5 m to 2,5 m. Better access ramps will be added as the current ones are substandard or non-existent.
River corridor
There are many visible informal pathways in the open areas along the Kuils River canal. The Concept Design for NMT Facilities along the Kuils River – a report prepared by Innovative Transport Solutions (ITS) in April 2019 – reads “the highest pedestrian activity is observed in the high-density neighbourhoods of the southern section of the project area (Stellenbosch Arterial to Van Riebeeck Road).” It is mainly commuters crossing the Kuils River, to access the Kuils River rail station or to get to the central business district. “Lines are observed leading to most of the low level water river crossings,” it states.
The project proposal is to construct a 3 m-wide asphalt surface path on both sides of the canal for shared use by pedestrians and cyclists. This will be on the upper flood line from New Nooiensfontein Street Low Bridge and Rietvlei Road Bridge.
The total length will be 4,35 km (both sides).
The sections will be from the Nooiensfontein Road low bridge to the Maisel Street low bridge (615 m), from the Maisel Street low bridge to the Belhar Road bridge (403 m), from the Belhar Road bridge to the Weldemar Street low bridge (429 m) and from the Weldemar Street low bridge to the Thayser Road bridge (729 m).
Landscaping
Road sections that will require new streetlighting are Church Street before the intersection of Saxdowns Road, and Frost Drive near the intersection of Belhar Road. Lighting will be installed along the new walkways along the Kuils River canal. Lighting is also proposed at the Kuils River Hospital staff parking area on Russel Street.
The project proposal includes hard and soft landscaping at designated intersections such as Sandalwood Road and Saxdowns Road.
Rehabilitation of existing parks are planned at:
- Russel Street Park is to become a dog park;
- Isabel Street Park – rehabilitation of the existing play park; and
- Jonkman Park – rehabilitation of the existing play park.
All the proposals have been approved by City Parks.
A public information day will take place at the Kalkfontein Community Hall from 15:00 until 19:00 on Thursday 20 October.
