City says ecomobility festival won’t affect Sandton business
SANDTON isn’t going to be closed or shut down during October’s Ecomobility Festival.
The City of Joburg’s transport head, Lisa Seftel, said there was a misconception that all roads in Sandton will be closed to traffic when the event takes place.
“This is not true – there will be certain road limitations, but basically every single road will have access to it – all that will be limited is direct access from some of the main roads to other roads within the Sandton CBD.
“Motorists wanting to visit two or three different roads may have to use two or three different accesses,” she said.
Over and above that, all barriers closing off roads are easily movable in case of emergencies, she said. Ambulances, SA Police Service and other emergency vehicles, as well a delivery vehicles, will be allowed in.
The event will succeed only if 30 percent of people abandon their cars for public transport.
“We are aiming not at sales people and delivery services who need their cars to get into the area, but at those who work outside Sandton and commute every day, and who don’t need their cars during working hours,” she said.
The event is aimed at more than restricting cars. It has primarily five aims:
Changing the way road space is used into and out of Sandton and encouraging the use of walking and cycling.
Starting international debates and dialogues with the 30 mayors who will be attending. Topics will include retrofitting entire cities with public transport routes, the use of alternative ways of transport such as Uber, and low-carbon-emission cars.
There will be a massive exhibition by local and international exhibitors demonstrating different ideas relating to all aspects of transport.
A number of events have been planned the whole month to keep the streets alive, including sporting activities.
The event is there to leave a legacy in terms of public transport – the Rea Vaya and the new pedestrian and cycle lanes.
“All the traffic studies were done comprehensively and we will learn lessons from the month for the future,” Seftel said.
A new app will be launched on Wednesday which will give people information on available traffic bays at park and ride sites, taxis, metered taxis, Metrobuses and the nearest bus stops or station.