The public has an opportunity to comment on a project that the City says will make it safer and easier for pedestrians to move to and from the Salt River train station.
Open days showing the plans for the development of the area around the station are being held at the Salt River Hall. The plans will be on display there until Wednesday June 8, which is the deadline for comments.
The project will make the station precinct safer, more comfortable and assessable to all, according to mayoral committee member for spatial planning and environment Eddie Andrews.
“The proposal aims to acknowledge and enhance the historic value of the site by incorporating existing elements,” he said.
It considered the deterioration of the area, safety concerns, maximising pedestrian space, trading and pedestrian/vehicular conflict, he said.
“The support of the residents and stakeholders would contribute to the success of the project.”
Ward councillor Yusuf Mohamed encouraged people to have their say. “Historically this area is well overdue for an investment like this. Come and get involved and create a neighbourhood we can all be proud of.”
Salt River Residents’ Association chairwoman Warda Rahim said she was pleased that the City would be doing upgrades in Salt River as long as the public’s comments were heard.
“These public-participation sessions are not just to a matter of ticking another box as they have done in the past, when they went ahead with their plans and ignored the input and comments received,” she said.
The area of the station precinct earmarked for the work is in the vicinity of Foundary, Spencer, London and Albert roads.
“The brief and intention for the project is improvement of the public urban environment by making it more pedestrian-friendly and pedestrian-dominant, making it safer and responding to existing street trading on pavements,” said Maria Kulikovskaya, from TERRA+ Landscape Architects, hired by the City to work on the project.
City officials are available at the Salt River Hall, in Voortrekker Road, to receive written comments from the public. If you are unable to make the open day, visit www.capetown.gov.za/haveyoursay or email Public.Participation@capetown.gov.za .
