This follows the deaths of numerous pedestrians jaywalking on the N2.
A reader, John Strydom from Heather Park alerted the George Herald to the fact that Sanral has engaged in a tender process to increase safety on the highway.
Provincial Transport Minister Robin Carlisle, the George Mayco Committee, the municipal manager, the traffic chief and Mayor Charles Standers met on Monday and Stan-ders said priority was given to the safety on the N2 highway and Sandkraal Road.
Long-term
Sanral Project Manager, Mike Vinello-Lippert said the initial focus is on the provision of safe walkways alongside the N2. "Approximately 10km of walkways will be provided within the road reserve and will be constructed on either a fill or in a cutting. In addition, approximately 10km of walkways could be provided along existing roads with established pedestrian lines linking to the N2."
Sanral is also considering making provision for the design of a cantilever pedestrian bridge to be attached to the existing bridge on the N2 that crosses the railway line. "This will depend on consultant investigations and designs," concluded Vinello-Lippert.
Minister Carlisle admitted to the George Herald that neither he nor the George Municipality had known about Sanral's intended safety provisions and was delighted that they intended to start the project as early as March 2014.
Short-term
As a short-term solution Minister Carlisle suggested that the speed limit on the N2 be reduced to 100km/h between the Pacaltsdorp bridge and the Garden Route Mall. He suggested that the George Municipality erect an Average Speed Over Distance camera (ASOD) on the troublesome section of the N2. The ASOD system calculates the average speed of a vehicle from the time it passes the first camera until it passes the second camera.
On Friday, traffic officers distributed pamphlets focusing on road safety awareness to pedestrians, pedal cyclists as well as vehicles stopping on the N2. George Traffic Chief, Mark Green said that officials had been fining vehicles who pick up or drop staff along the N2. "To date the George Traffic Service has written 36 traffic violations, this excludes the hundred plus issued by the provincial authorities."
Green told the Minister that pedestrians complained that they do not have money for taxi fair and that there is no quicker way to work or school, but to cross the highway. Sandkraal Road
Green assured the Minister that his point duty teams would be more effective on Sandkraal Road. He added that he had requested that several local NGOs assist with road safety programmes. "Traffic officials will be more visible on Sandkraal Road between 06:30 to 8:00 and 16:00 to 18:00. The use of speed cameras will also be increased."
George Executive Mayor, Charles Standers says the George Municipality had a fruitful meeting with the Minister of Transport and Public Works, Robin Carlisle pertaining to the safety on the roads and highways of George. From left: Cllr Iona Kritzinger, Minister Robin Carlisle, Mayor Charles Stan-ders and George Deputy-Mayor Daniël Maritz. Photo: Fran Kirsten
ARTICLE: FRAN KIRSTEN, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST
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