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Outeniqua Cycleway – Transnet's call
16:00 (GMT+2), Thu, 21 February 2013

The route that The Garden Route Cycleway Association wants to go - a cycle way with a view.

GEORGE NEWS - "Everyone who has been following the saga of the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe since the disastrous floods of 2006 and 2007 will by now have come to the realization that the cost of returning the steam train to service is prohibitive."

This is the view of Dr Phillip Parsons, member of the The Garden Route Cycleway Association. The Garden Route Cycleway Association has been actively campaigning for the creation of a world-class public cycleway on the rail reserve since 2007.

According to Parsons Transnet has been calling for a private investor, but no-one is willing to invest the R250 million required to repair the line. "Recently it has reversed its decision to abandon the line and has appointed a task team to investigate possible co-operative models, involving the local authorities and business communities. However, these are unlikely to provide a financially viable operational model."

"And all the while the rail reserve and attendant infrastructure are allowed to deteriorate. There are also adverse effects on the region's tourism industry."

Parsons said the proposed Outeniqua Cycleway offers the opportunity to create a car-free, 67km dedicated recreational cycle way connecting the centre of George with the centre of Knysna. "It would traverse some of the most spectacular countryside to be found anywhere in the world and tap into the growing national and international interest in recreational and commuting cycling."

Parsons told the George Herald that the next step would be to investigate the feasibility of converting the abandoned line into a dedicated, international standard cycle way. "If the results of this feasibility study are positive, and all indications from GRCA's own business plan are that it would be, this would provide Transnet with an ideal opportunity to assist in the creation of a non-profit trust to oversee the operation."

Parsons said the next move needed to come from Transnet. "They can agree to co-operate with bodies such as the GRCA and work out a solution that benefits everyone. Or they can sit on the asset, allow it to deteriorate further and deny the region access to this valuable community resource. The choice is as simple as that."