Reconstruction of sea-damaged Gonubie walkway route starts
Work anticipated to be completed by September after 9-year wait
Excavation marks the start of repairs to Gonubie beach’s popular scenic walkway.
Sea surges have ravaged the 400m path on Oceanway Road, the worst being the coastal tsunami in 2009, followed by other severe storms.
These extreme events also created significant beach erosion.
Parts of the walkway washed away and the wooden fence alongside it collapsed.
DA ward councillor André Swart was cautiously happy to see that repair work had started after nine years.
“They need to carry on with the excavation, stabilise it and have a three-metre walkway and a palisade on the seaside so people do not fall off the side.
“It has been a long time coming,” Swart said.
Gonubie Ratepayers Association chair Henri Smit said there could be local economic spin-offs from the repairs.
“We can make use of local labour who, in turn, could gain skills.
“My daughter, who studies occupational therapy, said the walkway could be therapeutic for the elderly and also give access to those with disabilities,” Smit said.
On Monday, the Dispatch visited the site, which is between Gonubie Point and Black Rock.
There was a construction barrier net along the stretch. Excavation signs had been erected to warn pedestrians.
Smit said: “We are grateful to BCM and also councillor Swart who has been instrumental in getting this going.”
Excavation has commenced on the beach, though there was no construction under way when the Dispatch was there.
There was also no signage yet to indicate who will do the work
Significant erosion has taken place along the seashore, and some parts of the walkway are unusable, leaving pedestrians and cyclists using the road.
BCM spokesperson Samkelo Ngwenya said work had started on March 26.
“Work is anticipated to be completed in September 2021.
They need to carry on with the excavation, stabilise it and have a three-metre walkway and a palisade
“The overall project is anticipated to cost about R4.5m, which includes the walkway and rehabilitation of the road.
“The full scope of work includes constructing a sand bag wall along the seaward edge of the road to reinstate the bank and construct a sidewalk along the road, repair the street lighting and reinstate the wooden pole fence and rehabilitate the road, which is about 700 metres in length.
“There will be interruption to the flow of traffic and there will be closures during construction. These will be limited wherever possible.”
Swart said: “It is not only the Gonubie community that will benefit, but also East London and it will be a tourist attraction.”
According to Swart, an environmental impact assessment on the extent of the damage had been carried out in 2012 and a full report and findings submitted to BCM.
The impact report was commissioned by BCM and submitted by an independent environmental consultant, Control Civil Services.