Monte Vista and Edgemead residents would have noticed work being done alongside Montague Road and Edgemead Drive recently. This is part of a TDA (Transport and Urban Development Authority) project of approximately R52 m that will be done over a two-year period. A sign on the corner of Monte Vista Boulevard and Montague Road alerts motorists to “The Construction of Non-Motorised Transport Facilities in the Edgemead Area”.
One very alert resident, Kelvin Irvine, who is also chairperson of the Monte Vista Ratepayers’ Association (MVRA) Parks Committee, noticed poles going up next to Monte Vista Boulevard a few weeks ago. He made some enquiries and posted the news about the planned Non-Motorised Transport (NMT) developments on the MVRA Facebook page. Irvine mentioned the project would include new dual-purpose pavements for walking and cycling, replacing damaged sidewalks, with some new ones where there are none, new stormwater pipes in certain areas and MyCiTi feeder bus lanes. He also heard that the project has been in planning for six years. Irvine said he and Cheryl Visser, ward 1 councillor, were well received and briefed by the engineers and consulting firm. He said an open house will be held at some point where all will be presented to the community and people will be able to ask questions.
TygerBurger did contact Irvine at the time but he said he would prefer not to comment or give any details as he is not a City official. Irvine will work closely with the developers going forward.
Annamarie Vercueil, a Monte Vista resident, has been appointed to act as a community liaison officer (CLO). She will keep the community informed and updated on progress made by the construction company, Shar Civils CC, and will be the spokesperson for the community.
TygerBurger was informed that a formal media release from the TDA is in progress, which should provide more details of the planned developments.
In light of this, most of the role-players were hesitant to speak to the media. TygerBurger was told that the role-players get along well and there is a willingness to take note of inputs and make adjustments as required.
Plans are apparently not set in stone and the input of the community is valued and taken into consideration.
Judging from feedback on the MVRA Facebook page, the community in general seems to be appreciative of and positive about the project.
Riana de Wet, secretary of the MVRA, said they heard the development of Non-Motorised Transport facilities for the area have been in the making for several years, but as it was never discussed with any of the residents, it came as a complete surprise to them.
“After careful investigation of the project we are happy with the proposals.
“Without knowing this was in the pipeline, our parks subcommittee had a similar idea on their wish-list, so we are open to the project, to the benefit of our residents.”
The development forms part of the TDA’s Comprehensive Integrated Transport Plan of 2018-2023, which is available online.
NMT (Non-Motorised Transport) includes walking and cycling as this is regarded by the City as an important mode of transport within the transport network.
On 7 June Brett Herron, Mayco member for transport and urban development, announced that the City will invest R481m over the next three years to assist with traffic congestion. He said they want to improve mobility in Cape Town, “be it by cycling, car, minibus taxi, bus or train”.
According to Herron over 500 000 Capetonians cannot afford motorised transport, and either walk or cycle to their destinations.
“Thus, we will keep on expanding the network of safe sidewalks and cycle lanes with the non-motorised transport funding we receive from the national government.”
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