Go! & Express

Mayor Pakati opens next Sleeper Site project portion

- MATTHEW FIELD

BCM executive mayor Xola Pakati attended the official opening of another portion of the Sleeper Site project last week.

The Sleeper Site is one of many major road upgrades that the municipali­ty has undertaken this year, although progress was slowed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Speaking at the opening, Pakati said that the purpose of the upgrade was to mitigate traffic congestion to East London.

“This road is linking the N2 with Oxford Street via Fleet Street so you will not have trucks going via Cambridge Road,” he said.

According to BCM, the R52.5 million project has reached its practical completion stage, which means that the new road and portions between Tutton and Moore Streets can be used by motorists.

The opening is sure to come as a relief to motorists, who have had to put up with major inconvenie­nces caused by the multiple road upgrades throughout the city.

As reported by the Daily Dispatch ('Beachfront roadworks to be completed for holidays', November 21), the repairs have all but eliminated access to the beachfront for motorists which has hit local businesses hard.

“I would like to appeal to East London residents not to turn your back on business located on the beachfront, among others The Windmill, Garden Court and the Lighthouse Spar. It may not be easy to access, but they need our support and so do the staff employed there,” BCM Developmen­t Agency (BCMDA) spokespers­on Oyama Makalima told the Dispatch.

I would like to appeal to East London residents not to turn your back on business located on the beachfront

 ?? Picture: SINO MAJANGAZA ?? EASING THE STRAIN: BCM executive mayor Xola Pakati says the Sleeper Site road upgrade will help ease congestion into East London
Picture: SINO MAJANGAZA EASING THE STRAIN: BCM executive mayor Xola Pakati says the Sleeper Site road upgrade will help ease congestion into East London

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