South Africa - Cape Town - A group of people from Siyanyanzela near Nomzamo in Strand started building their own informal houses on an open piece of land that is owned by SANRAL. Community leaders claim SANRAL agreed to give the land to the people but failed to start working on it as promised. Picture: Henk Kruger/African News Agency (ANA)
Cape Town - The South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) is finalising the full design for the N2 realignment project from Somerset West to Sir Lowry’s Pass.
This was revealed by Randall Cable, Sanral’s Western Region manager, who explained that once completed, stakeholder engagements will start.
Cable said if all goes according to plan, construction will start once dates have been reviewed between Sanral and the City of Cape Town.
“The finalisation of dates for construction is currently being reviewed between Sanral and the City,” he said.
It is anticipated that the realignment will begin at Danie Ackermann Primary School along the N2, and comprise a 13km stretch to reach Sir Lowry’s Pass bend.
The project will affect communities that live along the road reserve, and hundreds of residents from Nomzamo in Strand.
The duration and total cost of the construction project are currently under review.
Lionel Benjamin, a community activist from Sir Lowry’s Pass, said residents were concerned that they will be “cut off” from current thoroughfares.
He said Sanral had a major task on their hands to relocate those affected by the project.
“I don’t think the welcome is very good. We live in a very poverty-stricken area and already use two or three public transportations to go to Strand.
“The farther the N2, the longer it will take,” Benjamin said.
Cable said: “The relocation of all the households in the road reserve must occur in order for the construction of the road to take place. Sanral, and the City, through the Implementation Protocol, are currently busy with various plans to ensure this can take place.”
Meanwhile, the Somerset West Driving Licence Testing Centre, which is standing in the way of the planned realignment, will also close up shop in October and relocate to Strand.
At the time, Kevin Jacobs, a spokesperson for the City’s Traffic Service, stated the centre’s current position is a part of the N2 road reserve and will be impacted by the N2’s proposed realignment.
Councillor for ward 100, Sean Stacey, said there haven’t been any objections, but the process and participation took place many years ago.
“I don’t have much to say on it, just that I hope the project results in less traffic congestion for the Helderberg basin,” he said.
byron.lukas@inl.co.za
Cape Argus
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