GEORGE NEWS - The highly controversial proposed Western Bypass linking the Outeniqua Pass with the N2 national road has been deemed environmentally sound. 

Arcus Gibb, the company that conducted the environmental impact assessment (EIA), has recommended that the extension of the Outeniqua Pass be given the green light. 

Following the company's findings, the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning issued an environmental authorisation in favour of the proclamation of the route. 

The northern sector of the route goes through the farming and peri-urban area of Blanco to the north of the Geelhoutboom intersection, while the southern sector runs from the N2/Herold’s Bay interchange past the airport to the Geelhoutboom intersection. The approved route in the northern sector is known as the Gwaing Blanco Alignment and the southern sector is known as the Quarry Alternative 3 Alignment.

The memorandum to affected parties was sent out on 12 July and anyone wishing to lodge an appeal against the authorisation, has until today to notify the minister of local government, Anton Bredell of the intended appeal. Following the notice of intent, the full appeal must then be lodged within 30 days.

The bypass was proposed after the provincial department of transport and public works identified the need for an additional road to relieve traffic congestion in the centre of town by providing an alternative road where George is not the final destination.

The bypass has been met with fierce resistance from residents of Geelhoutboom and Blanco who claim a busy road will disrupt their tranquil tourist environment and farming activities.

Sense of place impacted

According to the environmental impact report the most significant impact of the bypass road is that of ‘sense of place’. This is the impact that results from a combination of visual, noise and cultural heritage impacts associated with the road.

The EIA project leader, Brendon Steytler from Arcus Gibb, says the environmental authorisation stipulates that the government has five years to complete the road proclamation process.

"A specific route has been identified and this land is now to be reserved for the building of a road. In the northern sector, the bypass affects 17 properties and will result in 11 remainders - isolated portions of land."

Prior to construction, affected landowners will be compensated in terms of the Road Ordinance Act (Ordinance 19 of 1976, Cape of Good Hope).

Properties will be expropriated after the appropriate preliminary design process has been followed. 

Landowners will also be allowed to get their own land evaluations and do not have to blindly accept the department's offers following the ‘willing buyer, willing seller’ principle. 

Pros and cons

Apart from the changes to the ‘sense of place’, the main objections against the proposed road revolve around the devaluation of properties, increase in crime, loss of jobs, the ecology, access roads and loss of agricultural potential.

Colleen Till from the George Business Chamber says the planned bypass has pros and cons. "It will contribute greatly to road maintenance. Our infrastructure simply does not allow for these huge, heavy trucks. On the other hand we also do not want to lose any business by traffic giving George a miss."

Till says it is sad that land owners will be affected, but she believes that the bypass will eventually contribute to the greater good of the city.

Uncertainty remains

Steytler says to draw up the final environmental impact report 13 specialist studies were conducted resulting in the tabled recommendations. "All impacts were considered and evaluated, and as it stands, the increased noise levels will probably have the biggest impact."

Ingrid Rielly, the owner of African Sun Guest House next to the Geelhoutboom turnoff, says she is very unhappy about the planned bypass. "It has been such a long process and people say it may still drag on for another 20 years, and I am still unsure as to the exact route the road will follow.

"In the meantime no one in the area can find a buyer or develop their land as they don't know what will happen. I am 60 years old and my trust is in God, but there are other land and business owners whose activities have been severely impeded."

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