Rea Vaya route sparks new development
DIEPSLOOT- Transport connection leads to possible development boom.
The City of Johannesburg is planning a new Rea Vaya route connecting Diepsloot with the city centre (Fourways Review, Transport for Diepsloot, week ending 28 February).
Johannesburg’s Development Programme for Diepsloot intends to establish the area as a socially, economically and environmentally sustainable human settlement.
Diepsloot has been growing rapidly since its establishment in 1994.
This plan will provide the township community with access to basic services, better transport and more income-generating opportunities.
The plan is to provide adequate housing by building 4 800 subsidised units for low-income households, and with the help of the Johannesburg Property Company through the Northern Farm Project, a further 6 000 to 10 000 for low-income families.
During 2013/14 the priority interventions to be implemented in the medium term include delivering road and pedestrian infrastructure to improve mobility within Diepsloot, including completing the Ingonyama Street upgrade and constructing two pedestrian bridges across the rivers.
Investment in public spaces in the government precinct in Diepsloot West, a street traversing Diepsloot Extension 1 and Tanganani, and a proposed regional node at the intersection of the R511 and the proposed K54.
The Joburg Development Agency also plans improved delivery of affordable housing, formalising existing small business nodes in extensions 1 and 3.
At the 18 February Imbizo, Mzolisi Mbikwana, chairperson of the Diepsloot Business Forum, mentioned the many new developments in the area, saying, “Diepsloot now has a regional police station. As you enter Extension 2, the fire station is right next to the police station and the taxi rank. Diepsloot also has a centre for elderly people and two clinics. Since the dawn of democracy 20 years ago, we have been provided with new public schools and two private schools. One of these schools, Diepsloot Combined School, last year achieved 98 percent in matric results.”
He mentioned the City of Johannesburg’s involvement, spending R30 million to build a multi-purpose centre, with a library.
Diepsloot now also has two public parks; one with an outdoor gym.
The proposed Rea Vaya route forms part of the City’s Corridors of Freedom initiative to provide safe and affordable transport around the city.
