On Friday 15 January, we published a letter and various responses regarding the island that has been constructed down the centre of African Street outside the Spar complex and BP garage (read them here: bit.ly/GrocLetters).
On Friday 15 January, we published a letter and various responses regarding the island that has been constructed down the centre of African Street outside the Spar complex and BP garage (read them here: bit.ly/GrocLetters).
Freelance Drafting, the private engineering consultancy employed by the Spar/BP developers, were unable to respond then. They now do so here:
Freelance Drafting has been involved with the Spar/BP development from the outset and prepared the rezoning application for increased land use as existed on the property.
Plans for the new Spar were also prepared by Freelance Drafting in collaboration with J Tonkin Plans. Council’s approval of the rezoning was subject to numerous conditions being met.
The construction of the ‘offending’ median island in African Street formed part of Traffic Control Measures imposed by Council. The recommendation of such resulted from deliberations of the Special Mayoral Committee meeting held on 13 June 2014.
This construction of the median island was not contained in the Traffic Impact Assessment prepared by Traffic Engineers, Engineering Advice and Services (Pty) Ltd. in December 2010 (further revised February 2011 and October 2013); however after due consideration, Beer Properties instructed me to ensure compliance with the traffic requirements imposed. In consultation with EAS, traffic design issues and layout aspects were prepared by Freelance Drafting to comply with Council reqirements.
Council’s Traffic Department was, as previously stated by Mr Hanekom, involved with Freelance Drafting in the final stages of planning of the Traffic Control Measures and approval thereof.
It is quite understandable that both Spar and Kenrich Motors are aggrieved by the placement of the median island; however Council has every right to impose traffic control and safety measures as they see fit (with professional engineer’s input) in the area concerned. The situation that existed previously was certaionly not desirable in terms of traffic flow and safety concerns.
The added drive around the islands located at the Hill and Rose Street intersections will, initally, be a source of irritation. However, motorists will soon get used to this aspect and business will continue ‘as usual’.
In my opinion Council should consider changing African Street to a one-way (westward) from the Milner /African Street intersection all the way to Allen Street, and make New Street a one way (eastward) into town. However this decision remains their prerogative as it affects a greater area and road hierarchy than the area in question.
The above plan showing the full extent of the road design and marking criteria is supplied for your information and attention. Perhaps this will give a clearer understanding of the situation at hand.
