IT’S all systems go for the new public parking management system which will be started off in phases from this Friday, November 1. Port Shepstone CBD will be phase one and the processes of implementing the system will continue to other areas.
After having completed the consultation process on the parking system, the municipality held a media briefing to clarify concerns which were raised in the media.
The first area of concern was the appointment of the service provider to manage the system. At a media briefing, HCM mayor Cynthia Mqwebu said management followed correct procedures in appointing iTraMAS Corporation Africa.
The other area of concern was whether the management had authority to advertise for the service provider to manage the Public Parking within Hibiscus Coast. This has been clarified as there are resolutions to this effect.
“After iTraMAS Corporation Africa was duly appointed, it was then invited to do a presentation in the council in July in order to explain how the process of the public parking management system will unfold,” said Simon Soboyisa.
During this presentation period, councillors from different political parties were afforded an opportunity to make inputs and submissions regarding the implementation of the system.
Public consultation meetings then followed between September 30 and October 4 at Hibberdene, Port Shepstone, Uvongo, Margate and Port Edward in order to ensure that the system is communicated thoroughly to the general public and also allow the public to make inputs and submission on implementing the system.
“The management has also recently met with AfriForum to clarify some of the miscued perceptions in regards to the system,” said Mr Soboyisa.
Some of the concerns raised in the public consultation meetings were; special rates for senior citizens, allocation of bays for the disabled, management of parking around the Port Shepstone Regional Hospital, the maximum period for parking in areas around beaches and parking for business owners in the CBD areas. The concern for business owners with parking has been addressed and they will be allocated parking bays.
While considering these concerns the process of implementing the system will resume within CBD precincts on November 1.
On Wednesday it was reported by the municipality that, due to the heavy rains, the service provider has not been able to start with the civil works. Work will start as soon as the weather permits.
Method of paying will be as follows, R2 per 20 minutes, R3 per 30 minutes and R6 an hour. Non -payment or any other violation of the parking system will carry a fine of R200. Non-payment of fines within the stipulated timeframe will lead to a summons being issued to the motorists.
The new parking system will provide employment to local residents, as car guards will be employed, given uniforms and trained to assist motorist with the new parking system as well as to watch over the vehicles parked.
