Over the past few months, the City of Cape Town has spent approximately R40 million on revamping the historic mile area in Muizenberg in the Southern Peninsula.

Apart from rehabilitating Main Road, it has refurbished walkways, parking areas and access routes to one of False Bay’s most popular beach havens.

“The City has completed this stretch of the Main Road project in Muizenberg well in time for the summer holidays.

“Those familiar with the beach entrance via York Road, Muizenberg Park,  and the parking areas opposite the False Bay College and Muizenberg magistrates’ court would have noticed how we have transformed this popular hub,” says Councillor Brett Herron, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member: Transport for Cape Town.

The urban renewal in Muizenberg forms part of the City’s multi-million rand rehabilitation of Main Road, one of the Southern Peninsula’s most scenic access roads.

The sidewalks along this stretch of Main Road, also called the ‘historical mile’, have been red brick-paved where they meander under the colonnades of historic buildings dating from the late 1890s when mine magnates travelled by train from Johannesburg to the Muizenberg Station for the summer holidays.

“We have extended the median island at the crossing of York and Main Roads by approximately five metres to improve the safety of pedestrians crossing Main Road towards Muizenberg Park.

“A new wall and steps built with sandstone lead to the upper part of the park where we have also created a paved walkway for those wanting to take a shorter route through the park towards the local police station and magistrates’ court.

Making things pedestrian friendly

A new grass-block public parking area with an additional 30 bays has been added near the police station along School Road.

Opposite the Muizenberg Station, an additional seven parking bays were created thanks to the new layout of the Bay Road steps, also built from sandstone to fit in with the character of the area.

“The parking area opposite the False Bay College was resurfaced and we have added two parking bays for road users in wheelchairs.

“We have replaced the street lights with new pedestrian-friendly street lights that are lower than normal to add additional light at night, improving the general safety in the parking area after sunset.

“New benches created from sandstone have been placed in the communal area along the railway line where residents from across the city, students and visitors can sit while enjoying the view over False Bay,’ says Councillor Herron.

The sidewalks along York Road have been widened and brick-paved to protect the columns of the historic buildings along this short one-way street.