TCT transport study to determine commuter needs in Southern Suburbs

Adrian Frith via Wikimedia Commons

The information gathered will be used to develop a comprehensive transport plan for the area south of the Silvermine mountain range, inclusive of the following suburbs: Muizenberg, St James, Kalk Bay, Clovelly, Fish Hoek, Sun Valley, Sunnydale, Noordhoek, Capri, Masiphumelele, Ocean View, Kommetjie, Misty Cliffs, Scarborough, Red Hill, Dido Valley and Da Gama, Simon’s Town, and Glencairn.

First of all, the study is focusing on all current movement patterns in the far south, including private vehicles, public transport (such as buses, minibus taxis, and rail), and non-motorised transport such as walking and cycling.

The nature of traffic congestion

As far as the vehicle movement patterns are concerned, the study will dovetail with the City’s Congestion Management Programme to consider pressure points associated with the morning and afternoon peak-hour periods, as well as those pressure points that are associated with the summer holiday season.

The nature of traffic congestion will be assessed on all routes and in particular along Kommetjie Road (M65), Main Road, Ou Kaapse Weg, Chapman’s Peak Drive, the Glencairn Express Way, Main Road from Simon’s Town to Muizenberg, and Boyes Drive. In addition, we will assess the capacity of the current road network in the far south.

The information will provide TCT with a holistic overview of the specific problems in the area such as the long delays caused by accidents on Ou Kaapse Weg, the limited alternative routes to and from the far south, and specific areas where the safe movement of commuters is compromised. Operational interventions to address these challenges in the short-term will be proposed once the study has been concluded and approved.

Furthermore, the study is focusing on the constraints and potential capacity of the southern railway service to and from the far south and the current road-based public transport services.

Future plans

Secondly, information is being collated about the current land uses (residential, recreational, business, etc.) and the existing land-use development rights which have not been exercised as yet, as future developments will determine movement volumes and patterns, the travel and transport demand, as well as possible transport solutions for the far south in coming years.

All existing transport infrastructure and plans will be assessed in the study, as well as the future plans of the major institutions in the area, such as the South African Navy, the Simon’s Town Dockyard and Table Mountain National Park.

The transport plan to be derived from the study must identify the most suitable interventions to meet the access needs to, within and from the far south, and must support the City’s development objectives for the area and for the city as a whole. The plan may make some recommendations for minor roads as well, and will aim to promote the increased use of public transport, walking and cycling.

TCT will use the plan as a guide for short-, medium- and long-term plans and the future roll-out of public transport as well as to engage with other role-players in the public transport realm such as the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa, the minibus taxi industry, and Golden Arrow Bus Services.

If all goes as planned, the City will host an open day within the first quarter of 2017 where the draft transport plan will be presented to the local residents and interested parties. Once completed, the final plan will be presented to the local sub-council in Fish Hoek for approval.