EDITOR – The beach access dilemma and the South Coast Sun story of 4 November about permits refers.
Could you clarify for me, and for the thousands of other Toti residents who do not reside in Beach Road, how local residents are expected to gain access to Amanzimtoti beach during the specified peak holiday period, from 12 November to 12 December?
While provision has clearly been made for out-of-town visitors who arrive en masse in buses and taxis at this time of the year, and for the holidaymakers and residents of Beach Road, no mention has been made of the thousands of rate-paying residents of Toti, who have as much right to use their local amenities.
In this regard, I have three questions:
- Does the permit system extend to all ratepayers of Amanzimtoti? If not, why not?
- How do Toti residents who are not living in Beach Road access the beach during the stipulated period?
- Why is it necessary for anyone requiring a permit to travel 10km to Isipingo SAPS when we have an SAPS office in the heart of our town?
CHRISTINE MAROT
Athlone Park
EDITOR – We do apologise for the misconception relayed about the traffic management system over the December holidays.
The first step is to redirect buses and taxi kombis to the Toti CBD for ample parking.
Standard vehicles will have usual access to Beach Road until pushed beyond capacity. This is nothing new.
Permits are handled by the Metro Police in Isipingo, not the South African Police Service in Adams Road. Captain Collet Francis is the contact person at the Isipingo offices for Beach Road permits. He can be reached on 031-913-1309/10. However, permits are also available from the Metro Police kiosk on the corner of Carlyle and Beach roads from 12 December if people don’t want to drive to Isipingo.
Permits are there to assist both the traffic police and affected ‘residents’ of Beach Road, being residential, leisure or business. History has proven 25 and 26 December and New Year’s Day to be the most challenging for hosting day visitors to our beaches and we look forward to a tolerable community to exude patience while we get through this annual seasonal phenomena.
KIM MCCARTHY
Chairman: Sapphire Coast Tourism
