Peak traffic
THE FOLLOWINGERRORS appeared in a Cape Times editorial about Chapman’s Peak on February 27 (“Out of office”):
Cape Times: construction on SA National Parks land is “unlawful”.
Facts: construction was approved in terms of SA environmental legislation by two Records of Decision, in 2005 and 2008, and a land use management agreement signed in 2003. All relevant SA authorities, including Sanparks, approved.
Cape Times: construction “contravenes international law”.
Facts: the Western Cape government is not aware of any international legal instrument that the current proposal contravenes. SA law, which is subject to international environmental laws, has been fully complied with to date.
Cape Times: “Why is the free day pass being scrapped?”
Facts: the Cape Times has been informed numerous times that the free day passes are not being scrapped, including a press statement (January 20, 2012), brochures (January 20, February 2) and mails to editor Alide Dasnois (February 2 and 6).
Cape Times: “Why was the public not told that the office would be on national parks land?”
Facts: this was made clear during the public participation process, which lasted a record-breaking five years. Apart from this, the final Record of Decision (June 19, 2008), a public document published online and reported on in the media, made this explicit. Full text: www.info.gov.za/speeches/2008/ 08061916151003.htm. Cape Argus article (June 20, 2008): www.iol.co.za/news/ south-africa/toll-plaza-gets-the-greenlight-1.405118
Cape Times: “Why are the traffic volumes being kept secret?”
Facts: traffic volumes up to December last yearwere supplied by Murray & Roberts to the Civil Rights Action Group on January 26, and by the Ministry of Transport and Public Works to Mr Keith Fawcett on February 17. The Cape Times has never requested them. Please note that the shortened link to the freshly updated Chapman’s Peak Brochure is http://bit.ly/ypaots. pedestrian over, a culpable homicide case is opened. That is the protocol. Pedestrians and cyclists are powerless against the immense power of cars. If motorists do not see their responsibility in this, the argument is pointless.
Perhaps Mr Joubert’s letter should have been more humble. Maybe he should get on a bicycle as well and see what it does to the psyche of the community around him.
It was only when I held my first-born in my arms that I made peace with all the crying babies that used to irritate me before. The fence between cyclists and motorists is not that high. It all just comes down to a matter of attitude and courtesy.