A speed bump in Diaz Avenue, Monte Vista, that went up without much notification has residents here concerned about the City of Cape Town’s public participation process.
The speed bump was built and completed early last month.
“The City issued a public participation notice valid for 8 March to 8 April whereby they can object to the traffic calming measures.
“By 9 March, one day into the objection period, work had started on the Diaz Avenue site in Monte Vista and by 16 March it was completed with two weeks of objection time still active,” says resident Kelvin Irvine.
Resident disgruntled
“The same happened at the Bothasig site.
“The City is ignoring its own legal process, is in breach of its own notices and if the City will box tick a legal process and ignore residents for a speed bump, what lies in store for residents when they object to a serious matter? How can they believe they were listened to and not just box ticked?” asks Irvine.
He says when roles are reversed and residents do as they please the City is fast to act with stop orders. “The irony is the speed bumps would not be opposed by most but the legal process is there to protect residents and their rights.”
Community organisation also upset
Tyrel Painczyk, chair of the Monte Vista and Plattekloof Glen Ratepayers’ and Residents Association, concurs.
“We as a ratepayers’ association are very pleased with the speedbump that has been erected in Diaz Avenue, Monte Vista. However we do need to question the purpose of public participation where in this instance the closing date is 8 April. As I write this we are still in March and the work has already been concluded. Whilst we are happy with the outcome here, this does not sit well with us, as if this deadline has been ignored and the work has commenced and been completed, then what other projects or matters requiring public participation are being ignored and moved forward with?
“Public participation should not become a tick box in the process but should be there to make sure that the residents’ voices and concerns are heard,” Painczyk says.
City official apologises
In response Rob Quintas, Mayco member for urban mobility, issued an apology.
“I want to assure residents that steps are being put in place to ensure that in future the public participation process occurs timeously, and that this incident is not repeated,” Quintas says.
