On 15 May 2009, the City of Cape Town will convert part of Fifth Avenue in Kensington to a two lane one way street. Part of First and Second Streets, which lead off Fifth Avenue, will also change into one way streets.

The changes are to be effected to ease the peak hour traffic jams that are currently being caused by motorists using Fifth Avenue to exit the suburb. As it is now, the road lacks the capacity to cater for the volume of traffic. Changing the road to a one-way will double its capacity, as both lanes can now be used for this purpose.

Parts of First and Second Streets (between Fourth and Sixth Avenues) will also be converted into one-ways away from Fifth Avenue to prevent drivers pushing their way into the queue. This exacerbates the current bottleneck by interrupting the traffic flow on 5th Avenue when the robot at Voortrekker Road is green.

The affected road portions will not be closed on 15 May while the change is being made. Signage instructing traffic about the change will be erected to inform motorists and ensure their safety.

Directional changes to roads are made after a thorough review by City engineers and consultation with the owners of property adjacent to the affected roads.