GEORGE NEWS - The proposed closure of 'Minor Road 6875 Voëlklip' as advertised in a notice in George Herald does not refer to the road that leads to the spectacular lookout point over the sea at Herold's Bay. This road has become notorious as the place where many people ended their own lives by driving over the edge of the cliff.
The notice, that appeared in the 19 December 2024 issue, refers to a road running over private land whose owner has applied for the road to be deproclaimed as a provincial road, as it is currently used to access his home.
"The road should not be confused with the road that leads to the lookout point above Herold's Bay.
"There are two minor roads on this property - Farm 236 Brakfontein - namely Minor Road 6875, that is being advertised for closure, and the other Minor Road 6876. Minor Road 6875 does not lead to the coastal area but ends in the middle of the applicant's property leading to his private dwelling.
Minor Road 6876 is the road which runs along the cliff to the coastal lookout point," explained Jandré Bakker, head of communication at the Western Cape Strategic Management and Operational Support directorate.
The cut-off date for objections is 3 February.
Bakker said once the comment period has closed, every comment has to be evaluated and after that a decision will be made by the Provincial Minister of Infrastructure to either support or deny a deproclamation.
"Should the application be successful, once deproclaimed, the landowner assumes ownership and it will become a private road on which he may impose restrictions that will likely include controlled access by means of a gate and no vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
"The status of the proclaimed Minor Road 6876 that currently does provide access to the lookout point, is not affected by this application and will remain open for public use," Bakker said.
The advertisement appeared in the George Herald Classifieds on 19 December.
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