After receiving nine objections to the proposed construction of a bus terminal in Bathurst Street, Makana Municipality will hold a public discussion on the matter.
After receiving nine objections to the proposed construction of a bus terminal in Bathurst Street, Makana Municipality will hold a public discussion on the matter.
The objectors say that the proposed development not only constitutes an aesthetic intrusion in the city centre but it is also inconsistent with good urban planning. They further suggested that the old railway station will be a better location for the bus terminal.
Among those objecting to the proposed plan is the Grahamstown Residents Association (GRA) which calls for an “effective investigation into alternative and appropriate sites”.
The former chairperson of the GRA, Dominic Thorburn, says, “Essentially no one has actually sat and thought through where would be the best and most appropriate place to site a bus terminal in terms of visionary urban planning and spatial development.”
Other objectors include the Commemoration Methodist Church, Birch’s department store, the Observatory Museum, Frontier Country Hotel and some residents. The owner of the Frontier Country Hotel, Savvas Koushis went as far as threatening legal action against the municipality should the development go ahead.
Among other grounds, Koushis complained about the lack of transparency in the procedure that was followed to arrive at the decision.
He also complained about that there was no public participation process followed before the decision was made.
“Why was I not informed of the plans for the ablution block being built right outside the hotel? What was the purpose of not involving the owners of businesses in this decision?”
The objectors also argue that the development would be a traffic hazard and attract criminals to the area.
A resident, B Kretzmann, wrote to the municipality applying for an extension of the closing date for public comments.
Kretzmann wrote “Contrary to the information in your notice, and repeated requests to the staff at the Engineers Department – the plans and architectural drawings are not available at the Engineers office.”
R2.5 million grants
The municipality intends to develop a bus terminal to serve buses travelling long distances which pass through Grahamstown. Currently buses are using an informal terminal where there are no public toilets or shelter available to passengers. The bus terminal will comprise a toilet block, parking bays and a shelter. It will be located in Bathurst Street, near the intersection with High Street where buses currently park and load.
The municipality intends to develop a bus terminal to serve buses travelling long distances which pass through Grahamstown. Currently buses are using an informal terminal where there are no public toilets or shelter available to passengers. The bus terminal will comprise a toilet block, parking bays and a shelter. It will be located in Bathurst Street, near the intersection with High Street where buses currently park and load.
In June 2008 the roads and transport department appointed MBB consultants to put together a project plan. According to Makana social services director, Mandisi Planga, after many considerations it became clear that the only option that would attract minimal resistance would to be build toilets partially underground to preserve the character of the surrounding area.
The project has long been in the municipality’s Integrated Development Plan but no funding was available. Business plans were submitted to the Department of Roads and Transport which in turn made a grant of R1.5-million. A further R1-million was approved by the Cacadu District Municipality.
The objections followed hot on the heels of an advertisement placed in Grocott’s Mail inviting public comments on the construction of the bus terminal. The closing date for submissions was 12 April.
