"We apologise for any inconvenience caused," says the city's director: communication and 2010 spokesman, Pieter Cronje. "The city asks the public to be aware of these and to plan their routes and travel times accordingly."
Four hours before kick-off there will be no general access to Hertzog Boulevard between Civic Avenue and Heerengracht, along Hans Strijdom Avenue, and along Adderley Street between Strand Street and Hertzog Boulevard. Premises in this area will be provided with the necessary access via alternative routes and opening the left lane of affected roads as required. The intersections of Hans Strijdom, at Long and Loop Streets will remain open to crossing traffic at all times, but may close for short periods before and after matches to give priority to the match day shuttle.
Western Boulevard will be closed in both directions, from Buitengragt in the CBD, to the Beach Road intersection at Three Anchor Bay. However, motorists will be able to exit the V&A Waterfront using Portswood Road, turning left into Western Boulevard, and then making a left turn only into Buitengracht.
Somerset Road will be closed from Buitengragt to Ebenezer Road in both directions between Ebenezer Road and York Road from four hours before the match to four hours after the final whistle. From Ebenezer Road to York Road, the CBD-bound carriageway will be closed. However, two-way traffic will be accommodated on the Sea Point-bound carriageway. This route is intended for local access only, and should be avoided by non-residents.
Road closures will mostly affect traffic leaving the CBD during the evening peak period. People travelling to the Bantry Bay, Clifton and Camps Bay areas along the Atlantic seaboard are advised to use Kloof Nek Road when leaving the city centre. During match day closures, public transport will be redirected onto High Level Road. It is therefore recommended that, due to the expected congestion on High Level Road, Kloof Nek Road be used by general traffic.
On match days, it is expected that traffic volumes on High Level and Kloof Nek Roads, as well as at the Buitengragt intersections, will be very heavy. Thus, wherever possible, it is recommended that commuters adjust their routes and travel times to avoid these routes during road closures.
Beach Road from Fritz Sonnenberg Road to Haul Road will be open for two-way traffic on the seaward carriageway. The mountainside carriageway will be open to accredited vehicles only. Beach Road from Haul to Portswood Road will be open for one-way traffic towards the CBD. Vehicles exiting the V&A Waterfront in the direction of Mouille Point will access Beach Road via Haul Road. Fritz Sonnenberg Road south-east of the Metropolitan Golf Course entrance, Vlei Road and Fort Wynyard Road will be closed to all but accredited vehicles.
The Grand Parade in the centre of Cape Town, near Cape Town Station, is the venue for the FIFA Fan Fest. This is a festival venue at which all the matches will be televised on big screens. There will also be daily live entertainment. Minimal road closures are necessary to enhance accessibility to the venue. The closures, which came into effect on 1 May, are:
Fritz Sonnenberg Road south-east of the Metropolitan Golf Course entrance, Vlei Road and Fort Wynyard Road will be closed with access for accredited vehicles only. Granger Bay Boulevard from Western Boulevard Circle to Beach Road will be closed to all vehicles.
Public transport services that, for any portion of their routes, operate along closed or restricted roads may have some route section deviations. Bus services provided by Golden Arrow will be affected by the envisaged road closures in the Green Point area as well as the CBD on both match and non-match days. The affected services in the different areas, as well as their rerouting, are listed below:
On match days, the section of Somerset Road in Green Point, ie between York Road and Buitengragt, will be closed to traffic.
All bus services from the CBD travelling through the Green Point area will be redirected to High Level Road, as will all buses travelling from the Camps Bay area through Green Point towards the CBD. Buses will be able to enter Main Road from High Level Road along Cavalcade and Glengariff Roads using existing bus stops on High Level Road.
All bus services affected by the road closures will be redirected. Golden Arrow is still to confirm the new route, but all services will terminate at the Golden Acre. Updated information is available from the 24/7 Transport Information Centre on 0800 65 64 63. Road closures will have a minimal impact on services entering the CBD via Darling Street.
The minibus taxi industry is being consulted with regard to routes and pick-up/drop-off areas that have to be rerouted or moved. These will be communicated as soon as finality is reached.
Public transport services have been extended as part of the City's transport plan for the event. All fans and commuters travelling to the CBD are strongly encouraged to use the extended services, non-motorised transport and car pooling. The World Cup period is an ideal opportunity to try out extended public transport services. Trains and certain train stations will have additional security measures in place for the duration of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
