The City of Cape Town has spent nearly R35 million on walkways and cycle lanes in Kuils River, Blackheath and Eerste River. 

This is in addition to the walkway and cycle lane in Kraaifontein, where Transport for Cape Town (TCT), the City’s transport authority, has spent approximately R28.5 million in the 2014/15 financial year to provide thousands of pedestrians with a safe route from the Bloekombos railway station to work opportunities and social amenities in neighbouring Brackenfell.

“Those of us making use of private vehicles may find it difficult to comprehend the dangers that pedestrians face daily across our city – from reckless driving to unlit walkways after dark, and in some exceptional cases there is simply no space provided for pedestrians,” says Councillor Brett Herron the City’s Mayoral Committee Member: Transport for Cape Town.

“The City is committed to addressing this with the creation of new walkways and cycle lanes. I am certain that the new infrastructure in these areas will make a real difference in the quality of life of our residents, not only through improving their personal safety, but also by adding dignity to the local communities making use of these facilities,” Herron notes.

The details of the completed projects are as follows:

Kuils River

• A new walkway and cycle lane along Langverwacht Road from the crossing with Van Riebeeck Road to the crossing with Zevenwacht Link Road
• The lane is 3 m wide, tarred and is shared between cyclists and pedestrians

Blackheath

• A new walkway and cycle lane along Range Road, stretching from Station to Buttskop Roads
• A new walkway along Wimbledon Road from the intersection with School Street to the traffic circle at Eersriv Way

Eerste River

• Refurbished sidewalks, lighting, pedestrian benches and landscaping along Forest Drive from the crossing with Van Riebeeck Road to Bob’s Way
• A walkway and cycle lane along a section of the Eerste River canal, stretching from Raymond Ackermann Drive to Bob’s Way
• Refurbished sidewalks along Beverley Street

Kraaifontein

• A walkway and cycle lane along the Ou Paarl Road, stretching from Mlenzana Road to Kruisfontein Way, providing pedestrians with safe access from the Bloekombos railway station to the industrial area and other opportunities in neighbouring Brackenfell

“The infrastructure listed above forms part of TCT’s non-motorised transport (NMT) programme. Each year we allocate a budget for this programme with the sole intent of making it easier and safer for our residents to walk to their destinations,” Herron concludes.