Residents divided on planned Voortrekker Road upgrades

THERE are mixed reactions to the Voortrekker Road infrastructure upgrades proposed by the City of Cape Town, with ratepayers’ associations saying their views on the plans were side-lined.

The plans include the expansion of Koeberg Road between Voortrekker Road and Royal Road as well converting Voortrekker Road, between Station Road in Maitland and 12th Avenue in Kensington, into a dual carrriageway to reduce traffic congestion during peak hours.

The area experiences an influx of traffic by motorists and truckers travelling between Woodstock and Goodwood.

Various engagements have previously taken place between the City and the communities to address traffic issues. It is believed the discussions resulted in the recent proposal with public participation ending on September 15. However, the plans were only partially accepted as they were allegedly not in line with what the residents had brought to table in the past.

A proposal to create a new road linking Voortrekker Road via Frans Conradie Drive to the N1 has always been brought forward. However, the current plans exclude this and Leslie Swartz, the chairperson of Kensington Factrecton Ratepayers Association, said they were taken for a ride.

"We are pleased that the City’s congestion management strategy has identified this specific section of Voortrekker Road as a high priority for congestion alleviation.

“City’s transport directorate, transport infrastructure planning and development branch communicated to our ratepayers several future projects, such as Frans Conradie Drive, Aerodrome Road extension and Prestige Driveway extension. Are they no longer a consideration for our community that is boxed in by one single arterial road, namely, Voortrekker Road? Why do we have to travel far to get to Canal Walk that is right in front of us.

“The current plans will not eliminate the nightmare experienced by residents who must sit in traffic for up to two hours to get out of Kensington,” he said

Swartz added that Kenfac was excluded from a MyCiTi route proposal and several other elements were not taken into consideration. He also firmly opposed the idea of establishing a cycling lane in the vicinity, saying it would not benefit the community but rather lure in criminal elements.

In response, the City’s Mayco member for urban mobility, Rob Quintas, explained: “There is currently an Environmental Impact Assessment process under way by the Western Cape Provincial government for the extension of Frans Conradie Drive to link with the N1 freeway. In this proposal, Aerodrome Road is the proposed link.”

Faiek Fredericks, the chairperson of the Maitland Residents Ratepayers Association said: “We welcome the double lane and the widening and other improvements of the existing infrastructure, but we have bigger problems posing serious risk than just being stuck on traffic.

“For many years we have been to appealing for interventions on Royal and Coronation roads where we have had fatal incidents due to heavy trucks illegally commuting within our residential area.

“We need solutions to that before we lose more lives and suffer extensive infrastructure damages. The City is not saying a word.

“What is the point of having a cycling lane instead of traffic calming, proper signal and visible law enforcement? Yes, double lane and the minor interventions will make a difference but not solve our problems.”

Quintas said budget availability and priorities determined the timeline “but Voortrekker Road is seen as the next most critical Congestion Relief Project planned to be implemented. Once this project is implemented, the risks highlighted by the Maitland community can be revisited in terms of traffic calming measures”.