The street is being trenched at a number of intersections where the engineering department is renovating old ramps and creating new ones in some places to facilitate the manoeuvring of wheelchairs. Blind people will also benefit from the installation of an audio tactile pedestrian system at the York and Market Street intersection.
Crossing a busy street is only one of many challenges Albertse faces daily as a blind person. He goes through several intersections in York Street when he walks from home in Fichat Street to Absa’s main branch where he works. The busiest intersection is at Market Street. Albertse says he listens to the movement of the traffic to determine when he can cross a street safely.
With the new pedestrian system an oversized knob fastened to the pole of the traffic light is pressed to call for a walk cycle. A buzzer goes off to indicate when a walk cycle begins and it is safe to proceed.
Long way to to
According to Jacques Quinot, the engineer heading up the project, council allocated R300 000 on the 2010/11 budget for the purpose of converting infrastructure to be more disabled friendly. "These are the funds that we are currently spending. We have a long way to go, though, and we want to roll out the project on all our main routes, including Courtenay Street and Knysna, Sandkraal and Beach Road. It will take at least 10 years to bring these streets up to a proper standard, but we have made a start. We would of course like to implement these changes in all areas, but funds are limited."
Esther Watson, organiser of the annual Outeniqua Chair Challenge in George, lauded the engineering department and council for their efforts. "Athletes in the OCC have long been complimenting George for being a disabled friendly city. It is absolutely fantastic that council has started putting money aside on their budget for improving access. These kinds of changes also benefit mothers with children in prams and our senior citizens," she said.
Xolile Skalika (left) and Lonwabo Toto are some of the construction workers responsible for creating easier access for disabled people using York Street.
ARTICLE AND PHOTOS: ALIDA DE BEER, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST
