Vandalism keeps subway between Goodwood and Vasco stations flooded

• A pedestrian subway in Goodwood is still a problem. Situated between Goodwood and Vasco stations, and which the people use to get to Goodwood Clinic and shopping centres, it is always flooded.
• As local residents relate, because the subway is always full of water and pedestrians feel compelled to walk across the railway line despite the fact that trains are running again.
• Chris Jordaan, councillor for Ward 28, said vandalism plays a major role in the subway.

A pedestrian subway in Goodwood is still a problem. Situated between Goodwood and Vasco stations, and which the people use to get to Goodwood Clinic and shopping centres, it is always flooded.

As local residents relate, because the subway is always full of water and pedestrians feel compelled to walk across the railway line despite the fact that trains are running again. “We can’t endanger our lives by going over the railway line,” Ruyterwacht resident Pieter Kuun pointed out, “and people in wheelchairs certainly cannot go through the subway.

“We normally contact the call centre, which reports the matter to the City’s Water and Sanitation Department.”

He said the man in charge, Marcus Groentjie, told him he was waiting for a pump that can drain the water. “However, two years have gone by and still no pump!”

Chris Jordaan, councillor for Ward 28, said: “Vandalism plays a major role in the subway, the other day a guy made a fire in the subway to prevent commuters from passing through.” He said the water pump is constantly vandalised as well as the lights.

Residents must walk over the railway line, despite trains frequently running up and down.

“Grand West Casino upgraded the Goodwood substation and it lasted two hours before all the cables were stolen,” he said. “The City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Department sent a truck to suck all the water in the subway up, but it only lasted for a day.”

He stated the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) needed to take responsibility for its substations that were created in the early days of thoroughfares, but left largely unattended.

“I will continue to engage our department to ensure the subway is dry so the community can use it.”