Today, Councillor Rob Quintas, Mayoral Committee Member for Transport, took the Transport Month site visit to Kraaifontein to highlight how the improved non-motorised transport (NMT) facilities along Old Paarl Road are benefitting residents in the area.

The project was implemented in two phases and both phases were completed in 2014. The first phase of the Kraaifontein project included 12,6 km of infrastructure while the second phase included the implementation of infrastructure covering a distance of 16,54 km.

The NMT improvements include:

sidewalks

cycle lanes

dropped kerbs

medians to provide refuge and enable for safe crossing

pedestrian crossings

space for informal traders

tactile paving to facilitate movement for people with special needs, the elderly, and mothers with prams

NMT improvements along Old Paarl Road extend from Bloekombos to Brackenfell Boulevard. Improvements were also undertaken along the major roads that connect to Old Paarl Road.

‘Many local residents in this area either walk or cycle to work and the NMT improvements provide them with safe means to access public transport services and shopping in the CBD. Before, residents had to do without walking lanes which was difficult when it rained as the hard surface used to become muddy.

‘The improvements have contributed to enhance the living conditions of many, from mothers dropping their children at school, to workers going to the Brackenfell Industrial area, or connecting pedestrians to other modes of transport to commute to work opportunities outside the area. The NMT facilities allow them to do so safely while also contributing to improving their health.

‘This morning I watched the pedestrian and cyclist movement and interaction with a sense of pride as this NMT fulfils many of our key objectives. Service delivery should benefit our residents, and where transport is concerned, it should improve access while also improving residents’ safety. Although these NMT facilities were implemented a few years ago, our residents are still reaping the benefits I am glad to report,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Transport, Councillor Rob Quintas.

At present the NMT facility along Old Paarl Road extends from Bloekombos to Kruis Road. The City is prioritising a further extension from Kruis Road to Bill Bezuidenhout Avenue with the planning and design to commence in January 2022 under the City-wide NMT Programme Phase 4 and implementation to follow.

Source: City Of Cape Town