Roadside parking initiative reversed

Mayor pulls plan, calls for more discussion, full presentation

AFTER the Cape Argus alerted the public to a proposed plan to increase roadside parking, and the resultant outrage, the Cape Town City Council has shelved the plan – for now. In an open meeting that lasted about 30 minutes yesterday, the mayoral committee withdrew its public parking management plan, that would have seen motorists paying up to R400 a day to park in the CBD, citing the need for a full presentation.

Mayor Patricia de Lille suggested the plan be withdrawn and deputy mayor Ian Neilson supported the suggestion.

“We need more time to look at this plan. This has not had the agenda discussions; we need a thorough discussion and presentation on this before it goes further. We simply have to discuss this more,” he said.

JP Smith, mayoral committee member for safety and security, told the Cape Argus the plan had been withdrawn as it has no mandate from the DA caucus, of which he is its deputy leader in the City of Cape Town.

“It has not followed correct process to be on agenda – it skipped various steps. It has not appeared before the transport and urban development portfolio committee as it should. It preceded the development of the policy and strategy. It is missing key issues which weaken the business plan – critical issues of integration with other services. The tariffs could be reduced if we can get strategy right,” he said.

The plan will be discussed at the DA’s caucus meeting on Monday. The parking management plan was meant to be adopted by the council on July 26.

It makes provision for those who want to park for longer hours at higher rates.

At present, parking for longer than two hours is prohibited and a fine of R450 is payable. The new tariffs would mean motorists would pay just more than R400 for eight hours of kerbside parking, but there would be no fine payable.

Currently, motorists pay about R130 for eight hours.

A new contractual cost-based model involves the parking management service provider collecting parking revenue but paying the entire amount over to the City on a daily basis.

ANC councillor Bheki Radebe said it was its initial proposal that the plan go to the different caucuses to be discussed.

“This is what we said right from the beginning. I am glad that sanity has prevailed and that the City has decided to send back to the caucus and not steamroll ahead with this plan.

“The City says it wants to reduce congestion, but they forget that most motorists who work in town have monthly-paid private parking, normally at the company they work at. Those motorists already park in buildings and not on the side of the street, so how are we going to reduce congestion if people still park in buildings?” he said.

“People who park their vehicles on the side of the street are those doing business and shopping here in town. That does not cause the bulk of traffic in the CBD.”

Janine Myburgh, president of the Cape Chamber of Commerce, said the parking policy was a serious issue deserving of a more detailed examination.

“In particular, the City needs to talk to business, because this is an issue which affects every business and its customers. It is also not just a central City issue because it applies to all the main business areas like Sea Point, Bellville, Claremont and so on,” she said.