| Scheduled roadwork on the N1 | Various lanes closed for roadwork on the N1 on Tuesday, 26 March 2019. | <p>The following lanes will be closed:</p><table cellspacing="0" class="ms-rteTable-default" style="width:87%;height:301px;"><tbody><tr class="ms-rteTableHeaderRow-default" style="text-align:left;"><th class="ms-rteTableHeaderFirstCol-default" colspan="2" style="width:50%;height:49px;text-align:left;"><strong>DAY WORK:</strong><br></th></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableOddRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableFirstCol-default"> Outbound lane closure between Durban Road and Old Oak Bridge for N1 3rd lane construction.
<br></td><td class="ms-rteTableLastCol-default" style="height:2px;">Fast lane closed from 08:00 to 15:00</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableFirstCol-default">Inbound lane closure between Jip De Jager and Plattekloof for auxiliary lane construction.</td><td class="ms-rteTableLastCol-default">Slow lane closed from 09:00 to 15:00</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableOddRow-default" style="text-align:left;"><th class="ms-rteTableFirstCol-default" rowspan="1" colspan="2" style="height:52px;text-align:left;"><strong>NIGHT WORK:</strong></th></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-default"><td class="ms-rteTableFirstCol-default">Outbound lane closure between Giel Basson and Jip De Jager for road marking operations.</td><td class="ms-rteTableLastCol-default"> Lanes closed from 19:00 to 06:00 </td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableOddRow-default"><td> Inbound lane closure between Jip De Jager and Plattekloof for road marking operations.<br></td><td class="ms-rteTableLastCol-default">Lanes closed from 19:00 to 06:00</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-default"><td>Inbound lane closures between Old Oak and Durban Road Interchange for road marking operations and overhead sign gantry installation.</td><td>Lanes closed from 19:00 to 06:00</td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableFooterRow-default"><td>Various lane closures on Old Oak Road for road resurfacing operations<br></td><td>Lanes closed from 19:00 to 06:00</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Report all emergencies to the Public Emergency Communications Centre (PECC) on 107 from a landline,
<a>021 480 7700</a> from a cell phone or
<a href="https://twitter.com/pecc107?lang=en" target="_blank">@pecc107</a> on Twitter.</p> | 2019-03-25T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
| Rail experts to assist with takeover plan for passenger rail in Cape Town | A tender for the procurement of professional services to assist the City with the assignment of the urban rail function was recently advertised | <p>A tender for the procurement of professional services to assist the City with the assignment of the urban rail function was recently advertised. The City has received four tenders by the closing date for submissions on 28 February 2019, and we have now entered the evaluation and assessment phase.</p><p>The team of rail professionals, once appointed, will be tasked to develop a feasible and incremental plan for the City in taking over the urban rail function from the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa), a state-owned entity that reports to the National Department of Transport.</p><p>The City Council on 26 October 2017 approved the Business Plan for the assignment of the urban rail function to the City of Cape Town. The approved Business Plan proposes that the City takes over passenger rail in a structured and incremental manner as this will allow the City to plan ahead, to acquire the necessary skills, and to develop the additional capacity needed to ensure the long-term sustainability of the service.</p><p>‘The assignment of the urban rail service will have long-term implications for residents and commuters. It will affect our long-term spatial planning and our local economy. It will, importantly, also have an impact on Prasa, being the rail operator, its divisions and personnel, and its service providers. Thus, whatever we do must be done with the utmost care and diligence, and must adhere to the highest professional standards,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Transport, Alderman Felicity Purchase.</p><p>The multi-disciplinary team to be appointed will have specialist skills and experience in railway operations and engineering, as well as business re-engineering and development, track and structures, rolling stock, signalling, concessions, electrical systems and stations. </p><p>‘We’ve stipulated in the tender that the preferred service provider will have to acquire the skills of professionals who have decades’ experience in the urban rail environment. The team must consist of a project leader, financial specialist or transport economist, legal specialist, and experts in railway asset management and urban rail network operations, rail signalling and systems, and railway safety and security. Collectively, the team must have many decades of experience among them. We want the best of the best to assist us with this very important task,’ said Alderman Purchase.</p><p>Once appointed, the multi-disciplinary team will assist the City with the investigation into the feasibility of the assignment of the urban rail function to the City, and on the basis of this study, provide a detailed plan for an incremental and sustainable devolution of the urban rail functions.</p><p>First, the specialists will evaluate and set out the options for assignment – thus, whether the rail function should be assigned to the City in part, or in whole. This initial phase will establish options for the City’s business model, the financial and other risks, and the resource acquisition, inclusive of the personnel and other assets. The initial phase will be subject to review and approval by Council. Once approved by Council, this will be followed up with a detailed business plan for the assignment. </p><p>‘The assignment must be feasible, and will be divided into phases. Before each phase the decision makers will have to evaluate the impact and consequences, needs and other key considerations before the City will commit to any functions. We’re determined to restore commuters’ faith in passenger rail as it should be the backbone of public transport in Cape Town. However, we need to do this in a responsible manner by being fully aware of the financial risks involved and by ensuring we’re not taking over any unfunded mandates,’ said Alderman Purchase.</p><p>The City will make an announcement about the awarding of the tender once the supply chain management process has been concluded, and if we are satisfied that there is a preferred service provider who will be able to meet the criteria – or scope of work – as set out in the tender document.</p><p><br><strong>End</strong><br></p> | 2019-03-25T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
| City advises of temporary road closures for Ed Sheeran concert | Residents, visitors and concert-goers are advised to take note of the temporary road closures which will be in place for the two concerts this week. | <p>Residents, visitors and concert-goers are advised to take note of the temporary road closures which will be in place for the two concerts this week.</p><p>Event ticket holders are encouraged to use public transport to the Cape Town Civic Centre or Thibault Bus Station and either catch the free event shuttle to the stadium or use the fan walk. </p><p>Ticket holders can also use the free on-street parking in the CBD (free after 17:00 on Wednesday 27 March 2019 and on Thursday 28 march 2019) or use the off-street parking at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, Ryk Tulbagh Square, Picbel Parkade, Plein Park, and from there the event shuttle.</p><p>Public transport services operating in Green Point and the CBD may be subject to localised deviations from 16:00 on Wednesday 27 March 2019 and 16:00 on Thursday 28 March 2019 until midnight on both days. </p><p>Parking restrictions will be enforced in the residential areas adjacent to the Cape Town Stadium between 12:00 and midnight on both days, including on Main Road. </p><p>Motorists are advised to obey the signage please. Normal restrictions and charges apply to kerbside parking in the CBD for a weekday.<br>On-street parking is available within the city centre but no additional security will be provided. </p><p>Parking tariffs will apply until 17:00. Then on-street parking becomes free of charge.</p><p>Dedicated parking has been allocated on DF Malan Drive for those attendees with disabilities who wish to use the Stadium shuttle. Only people with an official disability permit which has been issued by the City will be allowed to park in this dedicated parking area. </p><p>Ticket holders must formally request access to the parking bays dedicated to people with special needs by sending an email to <a href="mailto:mike@alliancesafety.co.za" target="_blank">mike@alliancesafety.co.za</a></p><p>Event-goers will have to provide evidence that they are entitled to these parking bays by clearly displaying the Vehicle Access Permit (VAP) in full colour on their dashboard when entering the parking area (P5) on Vlei Road. Failure to display will result in access being denied. </p><p>Enquiries regarding the limited parking within the stadium for people with special needs can also be sent to <a href="mailto:mike@alliancesafety.co.za" target="_blank">mike@alliancesafety.co.za</a></p><p>Parking for people with special needs is issued at the discretion of the event organiser and is subject to availability.</p><p>Train schedules and related information are available from the City's 24/7 Transport Information Centre’s toll-free number 0800 65 64 63 and <a href="http://www.capemetrorail.co.za/" target="_blank">www.capemetrorail.co.za</a> </p><p>No special train services will be available after the event on both days and normal services end from 17:30.<br> <br>Further details of the temporary road closures and other transport arrangements, including details of the free event shuttles that will be in place, are available here: <a href="http://bit.do/edsheeran-ct" target="_blank">http://bit.do/edsheeran-ct</a><br> </p><p><strong>End</strong><br></p> | 2019-03-25T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
| City welcomes business delegation visit from Miami-Dade County Commission | The welcome and engagements with the visiting delegation as part of his drive to make Cape Town the go-to city in Africa and globally for investment and new business prospects. | <span><p>The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Opportunities and Asset Management, Alderman James Vos, facilitated the welcome and engagements with the visiting delegation as part of his drive to make Cape Town the go-to city in Africa and globally for investment and new business prospects. </p><p>The delegation’s visit to South Africa was on the back of a recent successful mission to the US that saw the City’s representatives hold 33 business meetings over 12 days in Miami and New York. </p><p>‘Cape Town and Miami are sister cities. Our recent interaction and sharing of international best practice with the Miami-Dade County on how to attract trade and investment have been of mutual benefit to both cities. Trade and investment will help both of our economies to grow and that will in turn be to the economic benefit of both regions,’ said Alderman Vos.<br></p>
<figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img">
<img class="responsive" src="http://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/DSC_6136_resized.jpg" alt="" style="width:949px;" /> </figure></span><span><p>The trip to the US yielded the following potential business leads in other sectors stemming from the 33 meetings with companies: </p><ul><li><div style="text-align:left;"> A New York energy company is seeking to partner with local online and traditional retailers. Should their business produce a positive return, a case for local manufacturing may be made</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">A solar PV manufacturer from Florida is scoping out opportunities in Cape Town to test the African market</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Another company is looking into opportunities in Cape Town to recycle ocean plastic waste</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">The City’s Film Office assisted a US film crew on their planned film shoot here in Cape Town</div></li></ul><p>The City’s Invest Cape Town office together with our key partners are following up on potential business leads, which include:</p><ul><li><div style="text-align:left;">attracting more boat manufacturing opportunities for the European market to Cape Town</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">securing new orders for catamarans and forging closer ties with the American boat show organisers</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">a European premier brokerage company which is contemplating buying a local brokerage business in South Africa</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">local catamaran manufacturers who are making new sales because of the City’s presence at the Miami International Boat Show</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">continuing the support and understanding of Cape Town’s ocean economy through research and support</div></li></ul><p>Cape Town is a forward-looking globally competitive city that offers great opportunities for investors with lower cost of operation and access to a sizeable market in the rest of South Africa and Africa.</p>
<figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img">
<img class="responsive" src="http://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/DSC_6152.jpg" alt="" style="width:949px;" /> </figure></span><span></span><span><p>‘We know investors look for a clean government partner that is reliable and provides an enabling environment for businesses to grow and create jobs,’ said Alderman Vos.</p><p>For the 2017/18 financial year, the City received its 15th unqualified audit opinion from the Auditor General.</p><p>‘Just last week, the ratings agency Moody’s changed its rating of the City to stable due to its ground-breaking management of the drought crisis and its efforts to avert Day Zero. The Moody’s report affirms the City's Baa3/Aaa.za ratings which are underpinned by Moody's view that the City administration will maintain its historically robust financial performances.</p>
<figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img">
<img class="responsive" src="http://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/DSC_6180_resized.jpg" alt="" style="width:949px;" /> </figure></span><p><br>‘In Cape Town, we know that just providing clean governance and basic services is not enough. We are proactively assisting with skills development and the expansion of key catalytic sectors that are positioned to grow and create jobs. This will create a more inclusive economy like we saw yesterday with the City support of a Business Process Enabling South Africa programme together with Zailab, a next generation cloud-based contact centre platform,’ added Alderman Vos.</p><p>Other special purpose vehicles like the Craft and Design Institute, Cape Town Fashion Council, the Western Cape Clothing and Textile Service Centre, Green Cape, Cape Innovation and Technology Initiative (CiTi), Wesgro and Film Cape Town are all here tonight to talk about the work they are doing to keep Cape Town’s economy moving.</p><p><strong>End</strong></p><span></span> | 2019-03-25T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
