Objection from PNRA on proposed closure zone
PARKTOWN – According to Louverdis, crime in 5th Avenue and 1st Avenue West was no higher than other parts of Parktown North and did not warrant a specialised road closure to the exclusion of other residents in the same suburb.
The Parktown North Ratepayers and Residents Association (PNRA) has lodged an objection to the Little Chelsea Closure Zone application on the grounds that it will result in the breaking up of the suburb’s continuity, contiguity and coherence.
The Gazette wrote about the proposed road closure in Proposed closure cause for major concern [Week ending 16 April]. In our report, we outlined the security reasons for the closure put forward by many residents within the proposed closure zone. We also featured the objections of two residents living in 6th Avenue, Parktown North, who believed the closure would increase traffic, impact road conditions and change the nature of the suburb.
The application is currently with the City’s transport department with a notice inviting public comment on the proposal placed in the Government Gazette published on 24 March. By 21 April, the Johannesburg Roads Agency had received 86 emailed objections and about 15 hand delivered objections.
Chairperson of the association Lee-Ann Louverdis said following extensive discussions between the residents association, Parkview police, community policing forum and the association’s management committee, they lodged an objection to the application.
Louverdis said, “The PNRA firmly believes that one cannot consider neighbourhood closures in an isolated way, one by one. One has to consider the combined impact on the suburb as a whole.
“Neighbourhood closures should be considered when developing urban management plans for the suburb as a whole. We warn against knee-jerk reactions to start applying for road closures that result in breaking up suburbs’ continuity, contiguity and coherence. The PNRA is already working on an urban management plan for Parktown North as an integrated suburb.”
Louverdis added that additional factors needed to be taken into consideration concerning the closure.
Firstly, the Government Gazette listed the closure as located in Parkhurst resulting in Parktown North residents missing out on the notice and thus being denied the opportunity to comment.
Secondly, she claimed the traffic impact assessment was flawed and incomplete with no details provided on traffic patterns, and the rerouting and redistribution of both vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
Thirdly, according to Louverdis, crime in 5th Avenue and 1st Avenue West was no higher than in other parts of Parktown North and did not warrant a specialised road closure to the exclusion of other residents in the same suburb.
Louverdis said the application also failed to address the security gaps in Parkhurst along Braamfontein Spruit.
