Transnet, the Passenger Rail Association of South Africa (Prasa) and Izenzo Strategic Outsourcing are busy with a cost analysis for restoring the railway lines leading out of Grahamstown towards Alicedale and Port Alfred.
Transnet, the Passenger Rail Association of South Africa (Prasa) and Izenzo Strategic Outsourcing are busy with a cost analysis for restoring the railway lines leading out of Grahamstown towards Alicedale and Port Alfred.
This is according to developer David Davies, of the Izenzo group.
Izenzo is the major shareholder of the Belmont Development Company, which is in the process of constructing a golf course in the Belmont Valley farming area, south-east of Grahamstown.
Davies told Grocott's Mail this week that the plans are the outcome of three years of discussions with the two state-owned enterprises about the future of rail transport in Grahamstown, including the station and the tracks themselves, which have been increasingly targeted by metal thieves.
He said the three companies are undertaking a cost analysis for restoring the railway line which has been covered by bushes and fenced across by the owners of game farms in the area.
The analysis also covers the cost of developing a rail trail, a service road that runs on either side of the railway line. He said it would be used for activities such as mountain biking, running and hiking.
It could also be used for access in a medical emergency.
"This trail will be a family friendly trail and even those who are not [experienced]bikers, hikers or runners can use it," Davies said.
The gradient of the rail line is not more than a gentle 20 degrees, he said. The development would start in March or April, when a grant from the department of tourism would be issued, Davies said.
This grant would enable the companies to hire 135 people who would be responsible for clearing the bush. This would be a three-year contract valued at 30 million Rand, Davies said.
The grant would not cover the cost of restoring the track itself, however, which is the responsibility of Transnet.
"This project is going to boost employment in the rural areas near the track and at the same time open up opportunities for B&Bs and cycle repair shops to be opened at stops on the rail trail," Davies said. "We have allocated [areas]for these kind of activities."
Meanwhile the Minister of Public Enterprises has finally responded to questions about the Grahamstown railway station.
In a written reply to questions earlier this year from DA Member on Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Tourism, Andrew Whitfield, the Minister confirmed that Transnet is the owner of the Grahamstown Railway Station.
"Ownership includes the actual railway line, the right of way on the railway line, the station buildings and the bridges and structures on site," the reply, which was shared with Grocott's Mail, said.
"The railway station complies with the National Heritage Resource Act, Act 25 of 1999." Regarding plans for the railway station for the next five years, the reply said Transnet was still to complete the review of the user requirements and use of the buildings.
"Upon completion of this review, Transnet will subsequently develop a plan for full restoration, upgrade and refurbishment of the station," the reply stated.
"Transnet is responsible for the maintenance of the railway infrastructure. During the 2012/13 and 2013/14 financial years, Transnet proceeded with a limited yet measurable portion of maintenance on the Alicedale to Grahamstown railway line with the aim of eventually getting this railway line into operation.
"As a lessee over the Grahamstown station since 31 March 2009, PRASA has in accordance with its contractual responsibility, been and will continue to maintain the buildings and related infrastructure as and when operations proceed."
More than 1 000 people recently signed a petition to save the Grahamstown Station. The petition, started by a group of Grahamstown residents, attracted attention around the country and the world.
This petition cites the grievances of the loss of heritage due to neglect on the part of Transnet and ongoing vandalism, the loss of an opportunity to reinstate rail transport to and from Grahamstown and increasing security problems.
Whitfield, who is also the DA's Frontier constituency leader, vowed to take up the cause of seeking for the station to be secured and maintained.
Listen to David Davies talk about his plans on Up4Debate
