Grand plans for Sheppie CBD
However, not all councillors were convinced, with the general consensus being that these plans had been tabled before but had yet to be implemented.
By-laws will soon be enforced and order restored to the Port Shepstone Central Business District (CBD), it appears.
For a number of years, there have been complaints about traffic congestion, poor roads and filth, with business owners claiming this was driving customers away.
ALSO READ : Big plans in the pipeline for Sheppie CBD
Plans to enforce parking by-laws, erect visible signage and assign more patrol officers were tabled before the Ray Nkonyeni Municipality council on Tuesday this week.
Head of Community Safety, Sbu Nzimade told council that challenges currently faced in the CBD included double parking, loading and off-loading on the roadway, illegal meter taxis, lack of visible law enforcement and signage, lack of public management systems and the damaging of roads by certain shop owners.
The plan is to encourage business owners to use alternative loading zones, and adhere to strict loading times to avoid trucks blocking the roads and causing traffic congestion.
Other plans include new road markings, changing certain streets into one ways and ensuring that traffic violations are addressed.
However, not all councillors were convinced, with the general consensus being that these plans had been tabled before but had yet to be implemented.
“Similar plans have been mooted previously, but we are still sitting with the same problems. How is this time any different? asked councillor Mapu Gumbi.
Deputy mayor Ronnie Nair urged that the plans be implemented, saying businesses were losing a lot of income.
Council resolved that the Department of Community Safety should act swiftly to resolve the issues.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
To receive our FREE email newsletter, click HERE
