‘Closed’ festive season planning raises concern
UNLIKE previous years, there was no public participation regarding festive season planning this year, and people are wondering exactly what will happen as the season approaches.
Apparently closed festive season planning meetings have been taking place and a report was issued in last Thursday’s final council meeting of the year, held in Cannon Rocks. SAPS was present and ready to discuss its season plans but was only asked its opinion of the extended liquor trading hours.
Traffic controls will be in place again to ease congestion in all affected areas. In Port Alfred on New Year’s Day between 4am and 11pm one-way traffic will be implemented from the intersection of Muller Drive and West Beach Road in an easterly direction to West Beach car park, along Beach Road past the braai areas to the intersection of Wesley Hill and Beach Road. There will also be one-way traffic from the intersection of Oriole and Beach roads in a westerly direction to the intersection of Oriole and Muller streets.
There will also be one-way traffic at the intersection of Beach Road and Hirtzel Road in a westerly direction along Grand Street to its intersection with Wesley Hill and Muller Drive. Also, from the intersection of Wesley Hill and Smith Street in a north-easterly direction until its intersection with Muller Drive.
Wesley Hill and Muller Drive will remain two-way during this period. Closure of roads in the area with skip bins and chains will occur at the following intersections:
Muller Drive and Oriole Street; Hirtzel and Beach roads; Muller Drive, Wesley Hill Drive and Grand Street; Wesley Hill and Smith Street; Smith Street and Beach Road; Wesley Hill and Beach Road; Albany Road and Pascoe Crescent (to be closed as necessary); Southwell Road and Main Street (closed when necessary); and the crossroad at the robots. Also, there will be skips and chains to close the entrance to the West Beach car park. Designated parking bays at West Beach car park can accommodate 121 vehicles and the braai-area a further 23.The only designated camping area for December 31 to January 1 is the krantz area.
Kenton-on-Sea will have just one access control point at the intersection of Eastbourne Road and Vasco da Gama Drive.
Several of the beaches around the area will have lifeguards assigned to attempt to prevent drownings and other accidents this holiday season. It is important to make certain lifeguards are on duty before you take to the water. From December to mid-January the beach and reserve manager will be responsible for Blue Flag beaches and lifeguards over the festive season. Lifeguards will be assigned seven days a week throughout the festive season at Kelly’s Beach in Port Alfred and Kariega Main Beach in Kenton which are full Blue Flag beaches. Middle Beach in Kenton is a pilot Blue Flag beach and will have no lifeguards assigned. At the Fish River camp site, lifeguards will be sent there dependent on availability. Port Alfred’s West Beach will have signage indicating “No swimming”. Lifeguards will direct visitors to the beaches where they can swim. At Boknes and Bushman’s lifeguards have been posted to the beach/lagoon area as from December 1 to January 2. Lifeguards will be appointed at the river beach only, and not at the sea beach. Signage will also be posted saying: “No lifeguard on duty”.
At Seafield/Kleinemonde lifeguards will be on duty from December 1 to January 2.