A meeting was held on Tuesday to discuss plans to construct a traffic circle at the Worcester, Cradock and Somerset Street intersection. "It’s more than rich school kids being able to cross the road," said one of the few residents who attended the public meeting at the City Hall.
A meeting was held on Tuesday to discuss plans to construct a traffic circle at the Worcester, Cradock and Somerset Street intersection. "It’s more than rich school kids being able to cross the road," said one of the few residents who attended the public meeting at the City Hall.
"I am not totally happy with their plans, but a child’s life is priceless," said said, referring to the expected cost of at least R3.5-million.
"I think something definitely needs to be done about the intersection, but I hope all the options have been carefully considered and the most cost effective and practical solution accepted," said Shireen Badat who lives on Worcester Street. Funds, a possible dead end?
Cathy Gush from the Centre of Social Development expressed concern about the costs of the project. "The provincial budget is limited and I would be concerned that all the options had been thoroughly investigated and the most viable and economical option selected," she said. Gush was recently informed that due to a shortage of funds from provincial government, the subsidies for government schools was being cut with disastrous consequences for many young children, especially in disadvantaged areas.
Safe solution
Geoff Roberts, the director of Aurecon Consulting Engineers, answered questions about the construction project at the meeting. He explained that the project arose out of an initiative from St Andrew’s College two years ago to look at how the safety of pedestrians could be improved. Aurecon did a study to look at possible solutions to the high accident zone at the intersection and then, together with the Traffic Department and St Andrew’s, selected the current option.
Coenrad Hannekom from the Traffic Department said that "this was chosen as it provided the safety that was required".
Residents: apathetic or uninformed?
Roberts said that the public was not previously consulted because this project did not need an environmental impact assessment. The councillor responsible for this ward, Lena May, said that the fact that residents from the area did not attend the meeting meant that they had no complaints.
"The apparent apathy of residents indicates that they are either are not interested or that they approve of the plans," May said, adding that the project was approved by council last November. However, she said that Tuesday’s meeting was the first time other residents of the ward were consulted.
Cherié Wille from St Andrew’s College said that since the project was started the school has been involved in the process, discussing matters with Aurecon and the Traffic Department.
No more humps
The construction of the traffic circle will be funded by the provincial Department of Roads and Transport because the road is part of a provincial road going through Grahamstown to other towns and beyond. Roberts said that the cheapest and simplest solution would be additional pedestrian crossings with speed bumps and additional signage.
However, Hannekom said that the Traffic Department are not keen to have speed humps on a main road.
"Speed limits and speed humps have been implemented at most schools around town," said Hannekom. Representatives from St Andrew’s also said that they would not be happy with more speed bumps. Peter Castle from the Eastern Cape Department of Roads and Transport said that he was not supposed to speak to the press and asked that any questions be directed to Aurecon. This is despite the fact that the department is funding the project and paying Aurecon for their services.
