City's 'do-nothing' approach is hurting Western Cape economy

The City of Cape Town should take full responsibility for the deteriorating traffic conditions in the city, the lack of safety on the highways, and the negative long-term impact it will have on the region's economy.

"SANRAL has a plan on the table to address the congestion issues through the N1/N2 Winelands Toll Project, but this is being blocked by expensive legal actions launched by the city and its continuing disinformation campaign," says Vusi Mona, SANRAL's (South African National Roads Agency's) spokesperson.

Commuters who sit in traffic jams every morning and evening, visitors who stay away from "the most congested city in the country" and farmers who can't get their produce to markets effectively should demand answers from the city on why it is delaying the much-needed construction programme.

Mona says Cape Town's existing transport woes can only be sorted out through an integrated transport plan for the Western Cape. The N1 and N2 freeway improvement initiative is crucial to the implementation of this plan.

The fact is that the cost for the upgrade of 175km on the Winelands network is estimated at R11.9 billion - in 2014 terms. SANRAL receives an annual allocation of R12.6 billion from the National Treasury for the entire national non-toll road network, which is 18 283km in length.

"The funding of the Winelands upgrade can only be done through the user pays principle, which is also endorsed in the National Development Plan. Surely, Cape Town cannot expect that almost the entire budget for all South Africa's national roads must be spent on one project," says Mona.

Given the go-ahead, SANRAL will be able to complete the initial construction on the upgrades within three years. This will bring major relief for all road users, improve the quality of life of thousands of commuters and benefit economic activities in the entire region.

By following the city's 'do-nothing' approach, none of these objectives will be realised.

"It is regrettable that the city has resorted to obfuscations to hide its inactivity and delay the start of the project. One of its claims is that toll fee tariffs on the N1/N2 will be three times the amounts payable by road users in Gauteng," says Mona.

"The city knows full well that no contract has yet been signed with a preferred bidder and no toll tariffs have been determined. Tariffs will be determined by the minister of transport, following a comprehensive process of negotiations and consultations."

The city is also exaggerating the impact of toll roads on road users and especially on lower- and middle-income families in the Western Cape and on the farming sector. It fails to inform the people of Cape Town that the proposed locations for the toll plazas have been determined to benefit such users.

* There are several alternative routes available close to the two planned urban plazas. * Communities living on the western side of the N2 - in suburbs such as Khayelitsha, Mitchells Plain, Nyanga, Philippi, Gugulethu, Ottery, Retreat and Grassy Park, will not pay tolls. * On the western side of the N1, the proposed toll plaza will be at Joostenbergvlakte. This means people living in Kraaifontein, Brackenfell, Bellville, Durbanville, Parow, Goodwood and Maitland will also not pass through a toll plaza on the way to the CBD. * The available diversions around Joostenbergvlakte and Kuilsrivier mean that communities in Somerset West, Stellenbosch and Paarl will have a choice whether they want to make use of the toll road.

The reality is that an improved road network is urgently needed to further unlock the economic potential of the Western Cape. It will bring major benefits for the agriculture sector, the tourism industry, the movement of goods and products and job creation.

Mona says SANRAL is ready to proceed with the next steps to ensure the roads are upgraded to world-class standards and help to alleviate the current congestion. "We urgently call on the city to drop its delaying tactics, which are now hurting residents and visitors to the Mother City."