The Northern District Community Forum (NDCF) has launched a survey for residents to cite their concerns and voice their frustrations over ongoing traffic congestion on Brackenfell Boulevard.
The forum questions whether the planned upgrade to the Brackenfell Boulevard Bridge by Sanral, will resolve the area’s traffic congestion unless the City of Cape Town converts the road on either side of the bridge into a double-carriageway.
They argue that without this upgrade, the bridge upgrade alone will not address the issue.
Under the current plans, Sanral’s N1 upgrade, set to begin this year, will convert the Brackenfell Boulevard Bridge to three lanes – two lanes heading north and one south.
“However, they have indicated that they would revise the plans to add a fourth lane should the City of Cape Town decide to concert the road on either side to a double-carriageway, according to Leon Brynard of the NDCF.
budget constraints
However, the City, last year stated that it had no immediate plans to do so, due to budget constraints.
This, says Brynard, is nonsensical and a massive missed opportunity for the City. “It seems like a bureaucratic power struggle at the expense of residents and road users.
“For years, the provincial government and the City of Cape Town have claimed they couldn’t widen Brackenfell Boulevard as Sanral was unwilling to expand the bridge due to a lack of funds. Now that Sanral is moving forward with plans to widen the bridge, the City has not shown any intention to upgrade the road itself.
“It seems as if no consultation had taken place between the City or Sanral on the matter. This is something the City should negotiate with Sanral because if it is not done now when Sanral is ready and willing to do it, it will be an opportunity lost and Sanral will never come back and the ‘blaming game’ will continue.”
Brynard expresses concern, saying: “What’s also troubling is that all development applications in the area recommend widening Brackenfell Boulevard, yet the City ignores this while approving new developments against the residents’ wishes.” He points out that a traffic impact study for a 250-unit development in Vredekloof East found that dualling Brackenfell Boulevard north and south of Hillcrest Road is necessary due to the proposed development.
“An urgent solution is needed to address this issue, or it will leave thousands of road users in the lurch.”
identified congestion projects
The City’s Mayco member for urban mobility Rob Quintas in October last year acknowledged the current traffic congestion on Brackenfell Boulevard.
He told TygerBurger that the road is on the prioritised list of identified congestion projects, but due to a limited budget, projects will be implemented according to the prioritised list.
He continued to say that the City will be able to tie into the bridge widening that Sanral is proposing once budget is available, and in this way, in time, incrementally upgrade Brackenfell Boulevard to address the congestion being experienced.
In this regard the forum contacted Quintas a month later, but has not received an official response, thus their decision to drive the issue with the civic campaign.
TygerBurger confidentially learned that Sanral will be putting out a tender for the bridge by the end of March, leaving very little time for the City to come to the table.
Brynard urges every organisation and community organisation, as well as every individual, to get involved in the campaign.
“I fear the City will simply continue to ignore the issue, if we as a community say nothing. If your are affected by the congestion, battling to get your kids to school, yourself to work and your business operating, please complete this survey.”
The survey is available on the NDCF website at NDCF.co.za
