Prolonged road closures affect tourism in Rondevlei

GEORGE NEWS - Residents and tourism businesses in the Rondevlei area are hot under the collar as they have to contend with road closures for the second December season in a row.

The community has been subjected to long detours because of roadworks since May 2023, which significantly impacted tourism businesses and residents, who have additional travelling expenses.

All this while, information from the authorities about progress and timelines remained sparse, according to a fed-up resident who wishes to remain anonymous.

The road from Swartvlei/Pine Lake to Rondevlei has been closed for months and will remain closed during December and into the new year.

Residents blame the Western Cape Department of Infrastructure (DOI) for not doing their homework before launching the project.

The holdups that prolonged the initial three-month contract period to over a year and a half to date were, among others, due to environmental approvals that had not been in place before the project started.

The project began on 29 May 2023 with the estimated completion date around 31 August 2023.

Before the closure of Swartvlei Road to Sedgefield (DR1609), Bo-Langvlei Road (DR1604 and DR1625) also experienced extended road closures. These are vital links to the N2.

When Swartvlei Road is closed, people living near Rondevlei have to drive west to Die Vleie T-junction to get onto the N2 before turning east to Sedgefield. Another irate resident said for those who have to go to work or school every day, this makes a huge difference.

"Previously, the bridge on Bo-Langvlei Road was closed and if you wanted to get to Wilderness or George you first had to drive to Sedgefield to get onto the N2."

It also becomes more challenging for tourists who have to find their way in the area.

According to an update issued by the DOI this week, construction activities will cease on 12 December to resume on 8 January.

DOI head of communications Jandré Bakker said the main delays have been due to adverse weather conditions and permit delays. It is an environmentally sensitive setting and despite meticulous planning there were additional complications and requirements "that could not have been foreseen". The road goes through a vlei that is part of a Ramsar site which complicates matters, he said.

Garden Route National Park communications manager Phokela Lebea confirmed that delays were partially due to practices that were negatively impacting on the natural areas.

"It took a huge collaborative effort by all involved to reach a satisfactory way forward that would be beneficial to human utilisation, as well as nature preservation."

The DOI said the placing of a caisson (watertight chamber) at the Rondevlei culvert along DR1609 was a critical milestone for the roadworks in the area.