The construction of the N2 Wild Coast Road, that has been the subject of a public debate for more than a decade, could start as early as next year, according to the Department of Environmental Affairs.

The road, which is one of the major projects planned for the former Transkei, was halted by appeals lodged by the public since its announcement in 2002. Some of these appeals were based on pertinent legal and environmental grounds and others were objections against the toll road. A total of 49 appeals were lodged which the Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa dismissed last year after duly considering them. In response to the appeals Molewa said the need for this development had been adequately demonstrated. “This road will reduce poverty and create employment and opportunities for rural villages to start their own businesses.”

Speaking after a recent meeting with the communities which will be affected by the road, Molewa was quoted as saying construction could start in nine months’ time, despite the fact the Record of Decision (RoD) issued by her department is now the subject of a legal challenge. The 550km-long road will be between the Gonubie interchange in East London and the N2 Isipingo interchange in Durban with construction estimated to take three years – shortening the road between East London and Durban by 85km. The project will include the construction of nine new bridges and is expected to create 6800 direct and 28100 indirect jobs.

Project manager at the South African National Road Agency Limited (Sanral), Ron Harmse said, as an implementing arm of government, Sanral will be guided by government on when to start with the implementation of the project. But the construction of the road still remains unsettled between the Wild Coast leisure and tourism sector and the Wildlife and Environmental Society of South Africa (Wessa), claiming it will disturb the pristine nature of the area. In a voting poll on a tourism and leisure website of the Wild Coast, where more than 5000 people participated, 76% of them opposed the construction. Biodiversity programme manager at Wessa, Chris Galliers, said as much as Wessa understood the potential social and economic benefits that may accrue they remained concerned about the change in nature and the social fabric of the area.

“This may very well take the wild out of the Wild Coast,” said Galliers. One person who has been in favour of the project since its announcement is the Border-Kei Chamber of Business chief executive, Les Holbrook. “Economic development is driven around the ability to connect. “We have been saying over and over again East London and Durban must be connected,” said Holbrook. The spokesperson for Eastern Cape’s department of roads and public works, Sisanda George, said the department was on board with the project pending the approval of the RoD. “Our involvement is to ensure economic development in the province,” said George.

http://www.dispatch.co.za/wild-coast-road-to-go-ahead-in-2013/