Transnet dashes hopes for future of historic station

Photo: HeritagePortal.co.za

The massive government-owned freight transport company says it cannot rehabilitate the once magnificent national heritage site unless an alternative use for it can be identified.

Responding to a petition signed by 3,300 people concerned about the dilapidated state of the station, acting Transnet group executive Karl Socikwa said Transnet could only undertake to restore the premises if an alternative sustainable economic use and occupier for it was identified.

Socikwa's statement runs counter to a promise made last year by Public Enterprises Minister Lynne Brown who said Transnet would develop a plan for the full restoration, upgrading and refurbishment of the station.

But Socikwa disagreed, saying: "A refurbished premises, in the absence of permanent occupation, will result in the property again being vandalised even in the presence of security."

Once the passenger rail service to Grahamstown was stopped more than three years ago, the 142-year-old national heritage site was steadily stripped of its roof, beautiful floors and window frames.

Brown promised the restoration in reply to a parliamentary question put to her by DA MP Andrew Whitfield.

She acknowledged that Transnet owned the railway station, the actual railway line, the station buildings, the bridges and structures.

However, the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa), which leased the station from Transnet, was ultimately responsible for the maintenance of the buildings, she said.

She said once Transnet had completed a review of the user requirements and use of the buildings, restoration would begin.

Brown also indicated that Transnet had already begun a limited yet measurable maintenance of a portion on the Alicedale-Grahamstown railway line with the aim of eventually getting the line back into operation.

But Socikwa indicated that a restored passenger rail service to Grahamstown would not be re-established in the foreseeable future.

If a passenger transport interchange was not viable, Socikwa said Prasa would look at the possibility of converting the station into a business innovation hub or a museum.

The chief petitioner who headed up the petition for the restoration of the station, Fleur Way- Jones, called on Transnet to immediately secure and guard the property.