GRAHAMSTOWN Standard Bank has been given the go-ahead to install a temporary ramp for the disabled. The Aesthetics Committee of Makana Municipality met this week to consider Standard Bank’s application for the ramp.
GRAHAMSTOWN Standard Bank has been given the go-ahead to install a temporary ramp for the disabled. The Aesthetics Committee of Makana Municipality met this week to consider Standard Bank’s application for the ramp.
An Aesthetics Committee report from the Directorate of Technical and Infrastructural Services described the application as “a masonry access ramp with rails on the road reserved for the disabled”.
The report also stated that the “government policy encourages all buildings to provide access to the disabled where possible”.
During the Aesthetics committee meeting DA Councillor Michael Whisson, who was the acting chairperson, commented that he presumed that the ramp would be similar to the one at Davies Optometrists on Bathurst Street.
The Council members confirmed his assumption and said that the ramp will comply with the 1 in 12 gradient requirements.
Standard Bank Provincial Director, Dumile Mzaidume said that they are “committed to helping the physically challenged both in our workplace and in the communities in which we operate.”
Due to the fact that the building housing the Grahamstown branch is not owned by Standard Bank, the bank had to approach the owner’s managing agent last year to ask for permission to install a paraplegic ramp at the building to meet the needs of its physically challenged customers.
However, this was delayed as the building forms part of the historical Church Square precinct. Mzaidume said “Standard Bank approached Grahamstownbased architect Adlard Architects for assistance with securing the necessary approvals and design of a ramp that would enhance the façade of the building while preserving its rich heritage.”
He added that an application to build a temporary ramp was submitted to the municipality’s planning department and the Aesthetics Committee, since the process to have a permanent ramp built could take a while to be realised.
“When approval for the temporary ramp is received, design and installation of this ramp will commence. The process to secure approval for a permanent paraplegic ramp will continue,” says Mzaidume.
