North Coast has mixed reaction to proposed road master plan

Residents have complained that the proposed roads master plan outlined for the greater Ballito and Sheffield area fails to address serious problems within the existing road network.

The strategic road network study – presented virtually on February 26 and commissioned by KwaDukuza municipality – was completed by engineering and infrastructure consultants, SMEC South Africa.

Local architect Ken Lever, who submitted comments on behalf of the Dolphin Coast Residents and Ratepayers Association (Docrra) said their main objection was that the coastal strip between the beach and the M4/Simbithi Drive/N2 was not given any consideration.

“The study makes very important recommendations for future commercial, light industrial and group housing development – virtually all on the west side of the N2 – but ignores the existing residential area and our tourism industry,” he said.

Lever said the draft plan included very little study and recommendations to address existing bottlenecks and traffic congestion in the Ballito to Sheffield beach areas apart from partly dealing with the massive congestion problems at Ballito Drive, Simbithi Drive and Leonora Drive.

“The travel and traffic along the Dolphin Coast beachfront, already very congested during the holiday periods, is not dealt with in the short or long term.

“There should be continuous beachfront access for all along the coast between the Tongaat River and Tinley Manor. There is no indication of any such proposal,” said Lever.

Ward 22 councillor Privi Makhan welcomed the plan but said some immediate challenges impacting Ward 22 (Shaka’s Rock, Salt Rock, Sheffield Beach, Umhlali
and surrounds) had not been dealt with.

“The volume of traffic from the P272/228 joining the P330 on a daily basis during peak hours has not been addressed in the plan. While the proposed Sheffield diamond interchange may alleviate some pressure off these 2 roads, the bottle-necking into Umhlali CBD must be addressed urgently.”

Makhan was concerned about the lack of traffic management at the Dunkirk/Mount Richmore intersection which remained a contentious issue with residents and motorists.

“The various departments must align in order to ensure we get the desired outcomes. The community cannot continue to risk their lives at this intersection while bureaucratic red tape hamstrings processes.”

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The preliminary draft plan, forecasted to 2039, aims to support the regional economy and dictate future growth including road capacity improvements to accommodate the current traffic flows.

Included in the plans are a proposed 3-lane expansion for the N2 from Ballito interchange to Sheffield interchange, a 2-lane expansion for the M4, upgrading of 4 interchanges and widening link road capacities.

The R102 route from the Tongaat River to Zinkwazi is also included as one of the major corridors in key development area.

Already, a development which includes

4 000 homes and an industrial and business estate is underway near Frasers.

SMEC function manager, Yolan Pillay who presented the draft study said public transport inefficiencies would need to be addressed to support the 20 year projected growth plan.

Ward 6 councillor for Ballito, Tammy Colley said the high development and growth in the region over the past 2 decades necessitated a sound, long-term infrastructure plan to prevent the area from running the risk of losing its potential investment stream.

“I hope to see more public input and engagement, specifically when it comes to public transport. This may be a 20 year plan, but we need to have a short term solution to run in conjunction with any plan to mitigate problems that residents deal with on a daily basis,” she said.

Salt Rock resident Barbara Odette de Fleuriot, commenting on the Courier’s Facebook page, raised concerns about the capacity of the electricity infrastructure as well as the road network to cope with population growth.

Tongaat resident Shogan Pillay asked whether the region’s water infrastructure would also be able to cope with the continued growth.

Ballito resident and civil engineer Hugh Hodge said it was essential for council to prioritise small projects to meet the actual needs of residents and address the backlogged maintenance projects.

A projected figure of R4 billion was calculated to implement the road master plan – excluding electrical and street lighting infrastructure.

Hodge said the final plan should run the numbers by itemising development or transformational items with costs and include time frames that will be essential in executing the plan.

He said capital budget expenditure needed to be separate to maintenance budgets.

Residents have until Friday, March 12 to send their comments.

For more information email MavaN@kwadukuza.gov.za or Yolan.pillay@smec.com or Etienne.viljoen@smec.com.

Comments can also be sent to Docrra admin@docrra.co.za.

The master plan is posted online at kwadukuza.gov.za under the notices section.