GEORGE NEWS - Heritage Western Cape formally declared the Kaaimans River Railway Bridge a provincial heritage site at a ceremony held at the Transnet Transport Museum on 21 October.

The bridge, a well-recognised and iconic feature of Wilderness, was completed in 1928 by inventive and ingenious engineers. It carried freight and passengers until 2006 when the line was damaged by heavy flooding and train services were suspended.

Speaking at the ceremony, John Miller, the Wilderness resident who nominated the bridge said, "We should now envision the railway line crossing a safe and preserved bridge, travelling from Knysna to George and beyond, carrying daily commuters, tourists, long distance travellers, tourists and freight, with safe bicycle and walking trails alongside. 

"All that would bring jobs in planning and design, in construction and development, and in operations and services."

Kayman's Gat, looking up the Swart River to the west. Art work by John Melvill, 1815.

Speakers at the ceremony touched on the significance of the bridge. The Western Cape Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Anroux Marais, delivered the keynote address, emphasising the significance of the bridge in the nation's growth.

The heritage site plaque is located at the top of the hill where visitors can see it.

George Mayor Leon van Wyk spoke of the importance of the bridge during his visits to the area with his family in his youth and lamented the closing of the bridge in 2006. By the mayor's calculations, the Garden Route economy has missed out on about R5b of economic activity since the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe ceased service.

Transnet's Andile Ngcobo-Mazibuko told inspiring stories that tied the importance of heritage and culture to the promise of the new South Africa.

Wilderness resident John Miller, whose initiative has led to the Kaaimans railway bridge being declared a Western Cape heritage site.Miller said he was prompted to take action and apply for heritage status for the bridge when he realised the pristine green hillside below the bridge on the west bank of the river was under threat to development.

"The George Municipality must now make good on its designation of the Kaaimans River corridor as a statutory conservation area and of the river mouth as a coastal gateway."

The unveiling ceremony was held in the Transnet Transport Museum.

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