Cape Town - The City of Cape Town’s Urban Mobility Directorate has started collecting all submitted comments for assessment following a month-long public participation exercise on development plans for the Wynberg Public Transport Interchange.
The participation officially ended at midnight on December 9 with satisfactory results, said officials.
Rob Quintas, the Mayco member for urban mobility, said the City officials will give “due consideration to the public submissions” when they finalise the detail design and advertise the tender.
“It is way too early to say how many submissions we have received, (but) safe to say that there was significant interest from residents and business owners at the public information day with at least 120 people attending. The far majority of attendees welcomed the proposed plans and are excited about the City’s investment in the upgrade of the public transport interchange, which will not only be to the benefit of commuters, but will also assist in rejuvenating the Wynberg CBD and surrounding neighbourhood. This urban regeneration will have a positive impact on the greater Wynberg area, and will be in the interest of all of those who work and live in Wynberg, the business owners, as well as private property owners,” said Quintas.
He said there will be engagements with interested and affected parties about how they intend to accommodate all road users whose access will be affected. These include commuters, minibus taxi operators, business owners, and residents whose roads are likely to be closed for the duration of the construction.
“A traffic management plan will be presented to all interested and affected parties, and the services of other City directorates, among which Safety and Security and Traffic Services will be assisting as and when needed,” said Quintas.
Ward councillor Carmen Siebritz said it was great to see both local residents and business owners having their voices heard. Wynberg belongs to the residents and it’s important that we not only listen to them, but that we in fact hear them, the councillor said.
“However, the disappointing factor is that there are thousands more residents who live and work in Wynberg who just did not take the time to voice their opinions. Unfortunately for them they will have to be satisfied with what is decided.”
The 25 000m² Wynberg PTI will comprise two levels to the north and east of the Wynberg railway station, between Brisbane Road and Morom Road, bordering Wetton and Broad Roads. The ground level will accommodate minibus taxis serving the Cape Town CBD, while the upper level is for minibus taxis serving the metro south-east. There will also be a single-level facility between Ottery Road and the railway line for minibus taxis.