Alkantstrand traffic is a no win situation

In the days when town planning was not as sophisticated and forwardlooking as it is today, few could have anticipated the impact that would follow Richards Bay’s growth from a sleepy fishing village to a global port and industrial hub.

Specifically, the road infrastructure demand could not have been visualised.

Fortunately, provision had been made for the widening of major arterials within the town, as well as for the key John

Ross Parkway upgrade.

However, access to Alkantstrand over peak holiday times remains hugely problematic and congestion over the New Year period in particular is a bone of contention.

The road infrastructure to the beach is totally inadequate, leading to chaotic conditions – added to which is bad driver behaviour on the part of many.

Last week, City and RTI traffic officials, as well as the police, were once again on the receiving end of complaints over lack of control of vehicles heading to and from the beach.

On social media, comparisons were made with beach volume numbers at Durban and even at overseas venues that coped with far more people and vehicles, with apparently far fewer problems than those experienced here.

However, this fails to take into account a simple reality: those places have many access routes to their beaches, while we only have Bayview Boulevard and Davidson Lane – both narrow - which merge into one at Alkantstrand.

It’s a nightmare for summer season planning, especially on New Year’s Day when traffic pours in from the entire region.

It is unreasonable to expect a stretched traffic department to man every possible congestion point along the beach route.

They did their best. And dare we say this year was somewhat more effective than over the past few seasons.

Lessons still need to be learnt and a proper debriefing session must take place, with input from all sectors, including the affected residents.

Be that as it may, the problem of the lack of road access will forever remain the challenge.

Perhaps a total ban on vehicles, with ‘park and ride’ points away from the beach precinct, would help.

Busses could ferry beachgoers from there to Alkantstrand.

Re-opening of Forrel Alley could redirect Meerensee/CBD traffic away from the John Ross Parkway.

Provision of alternate beach venues, with the appropriate amenities, could lessen the road load.

Constructive ideas are needed, rather than complaints and criticisms.