Eskom’s plans for Barbeque Downs are moving forward

On 5 August, head of the committee Candice James laid out the topics to be addressed. The main issue was Eskom’s intended plan to construct a sub-station on Malindi Road, which is located between Barbeque Downs and Leeuwkop Prison. The intended sub-station lines will run through Blue Hills, Leeuwkop Prison and Barbeque Downs.

The community had until today (8 August) to oppose the draft and bring forward some of their grievances for the impending plans.

The strengthening programme, which was developed by Eskom for Sunninghill and surrounding areas such as Kyalami, excluded the Barbeque Downs’ committee in its plans and considered it a non-participating party.

The Barbeque Downs committee has attempted to contest this with regards to the sub-station; and there were many issues with the final report that is being put forward.

The exact location of the station is undisclosed and poses many problems for the area, as future plans – regarding road irrigation, traffic, noise, the size of the actual station, health implications and environmental concerns – cannot be addressed.

James said one of the main concerns surrounding this station is the stream which runs adjacent to Malindi Road. During the rainy season, this stream floods and often causes damage to the roads, according to the committee.

Eskom has argued, according to James, that they were willing to divert the stream manually in order to alleviate any damage caused by the station.

Residents were additionally assured by Eskom that visual, social and ecological studies had been done on the impact the project may have on the environment, especially as parts of the area where it will be located is a conservancy and has many wetlands.

The committee argued that Barbeque Downs roads are fragile and considered farm roads and cannot handle the pressure of heavy construction vehicles and heavy materials. The residents are also concerned that the building of the substation will cause unnecessary discomfort to them.

The commercial and residential developments that have recently mushroomed had already added to traffic and placed pressure on the roads, they said.

The community has called on the Johannesburg Road Agency to improve the roads but there have been no upgrades yet.