Visitor safety

CBD non-motorised transport connecting people to opportunities

This pedestrian bridge offers safe passage for pedestrians to cross the extremely busy Buitengracht below.

The pedestrian bridge on Waterkant Street across Buitengracht: This bridge was constructed as a part of the non-motorised transport (NMT) infrastructure improvements in the Cape Town CBD so that pedestrians can cross Buitengracht, one of the main arterial routes in the business district. The bridge forms part of the Fan Mile linking the Cape Town station with the Cape Town Stadium. Waterkant Street is an important route from the station to schools, employment and retail opportunities in the Waterkant, and Sea Point and Green Point areas and pedestrians and cyclists use the crossing daily. This pedestrian bridge offers safe passage for pedestrians to cross the extremely busy Buitengracht below. Those who opt to cross the road at ground level below, can use the pedestrian crossing. <figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"> <img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/buitengracht%20site1.jpg" alt="" style="width:948px;" /> </figure> Although the bridge is not universally accessible, a signalised crossing with a safe waiting area is provided at the street level to provide those with special needs, such as pedestrians in wheelchairs, a safe crossing.Apart from being architecturally pleasing, the bridge:<ul><li><div style="text-align:left;">creates a sense of place in Waterkant Street and St Andrew’s Square</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">forms part of the Fan Mile that connects the station with the Cape Town stadium in Green Point</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">is on the route of the Cape Town Marathon and during the event, temporary ramps are constructed</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">is used by tourists as a vantage point when walking between the city centre, the V&A Waterfront and Green Point.</div></li></ul>It is important to note that this is a heritage sensitive site and a full heritage impact assessment was conducted at the time, which also informed the design. <figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"> <img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/buitengracht%20site2.jpg" alt="" style="width:948px;" /> </figure>Pedestrian bridge the lower end of Buitengracht: This bridge was constructed as a part of the NMT infrastructure improvements in the Cape Town CBD to enable a safe pedestrian crossing at the lower end of Buitengracht at Walter Sisulu Avenue. This bridge provides safe access to the V&A Waterfront. The inbound and outbound sections of Buitengracht at the location of the pedestrian bridge consists of four travel lanes in each direction. The inbound carriageway, in particular, provided no dedicated pedestrian cycle time, and pedestrians always had to negotiate vehicular traffic when crossing at ground level. The provision of a dedicated NMT bridge therefore provides a significant advantage to pedestrians in terms of road safety and convenience. The bridge was constructed on the pedestrian desire line in order to encourage the use of this structure, and design features such as walls and landscaping are used to discourage pedestrians from crossing the inbound carriageway at ground level. Due to the constraints of the site, it was not possible to extend the bridge over the outbound carriageway as well, however, in this regard, vehicular traffic is brought to a complete standstill for 50% of the signal cycle time, allowing for the safe crossing of pedestrians at ground level. The provision of a dedicated NMT bridge provides a significant advantage to pedestrians in terms of road safety and convenience. The City used design features such as walls and landscaping to discourage pedestrians to cross Lower Buitengracht at ground street level. <figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"> <img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/buitengracht%20site3.jpg" alt="" style="width:948px;" /> </figure> The pedestrian bridge includes an even gradient on both sides, a generous width to allow for cyclists and a smooth surface. The bridge has a glass screen along the western edge, which provides protection from harsh weather conditions, while also acting as a noise barrier for the adjacent hotel. The CCTV monitoring ensures safety while using the bridge. Two elevators were installed to assist people with special needs but unfortunately, due to ongoing vandalism, the elevators are not functional. ‘This Transport Month we are focusing on non-motorised transport. Firstly, to show our residents what is available across the city and how these add to the safety and character of Cape Town. While the main purpose of the Buitengracht bridges is to connect people to the stadium during events, the bridge on the lower end of Buitengracht, in particular, also connects people to opportunities, be it jobs, recreational activities, or the V&A Waterfront, which is a major employer, retail area and an iconic tourists attraction. I must emphasise that the people benefitting from these bridges are from all over Cape Town. The bridges have a formal crossing and also assist with traffic flow, create a safe environment for pedestrians, and add to the overall experience of exploring Cape Town by foot,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Transport, Councillor Rob Quintas. End

2021-10-18T22:00:00Z

Resurfacing of Chatham, Coleridge, and Lower Scott Roads to commence

The roadworks are part of regular routine road maintenance aimed at ensuring driver safety and extending the lifespan of the road surfaces

The work is planned to be implemented between 07:00 and 17:00 on weekdays.The work entails the removal of the old deteriorated surface. The road will then be resurfaced and existing kerbs repaired. ‘The roadworks are part of regular routine road maintenance aimed at ensuring driver safety and extending the lifespan of the road surfaces. Our residents and motorists are at the centre of our basic service delivery initiatives. Thus, we need their cooperation to complete these projects and kindly ask that vehicles are parked in a way that will not obstruct the work. ‘Also, we urge residents to please comply with the traffic arrangements on site. In so doing, we can ensure that the works are implemented without disruption and completed timeously,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Transport, Councillor Rob Quintas.Residents and motorists are advised that:<ul><li><div style="text-align:left;">traffic moving in both directions will be affected</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">flag personnel will regulate traffic in one direction at a time</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">work areas will be temporarily demarcated to regulate traffic flow</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">vehicles may be parked in the driveways as normal, if and when access is available.</div></li></ul>Although no congestion is expected in the area, we advise that road users consider using alternative routes where possible.Where one/two way traffic accommodation is not possible, as in the case of Coleridge Road, road closures will be implemented and traffic will be diverted. Only residents will be permitted access during construction. End

2021-10-18T22:00:00Z

City Partners with NSRI in cutting edge rip current experiment

Rip currents are powerful channels of fast-moving water

The NSRI Drowning Prevention team, together with the City’s Recreation and Parks Department is working on a research project, studying rip currents and developing educational content based on aerial footage filmed in False Bay and Table Bay.In a first for Cape Town, a research permit has been issued by the national Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment for the deployment of a dye that will highlight and visually expose the flow of rip currents in the ocean. The dye is non-toxic to the environment as well as people. The footage captured will be used as part of a focused rip current/beach safety public awareness campaign as preparations for the summer season are under way.The NSRI has been granted the permit to deploy the fluorescein dye, according to global best practice among ocean researchers. Fluorescein is commonly used by scientists and plumbers in different water tracer experiments, as well as by carp fishermen, and is harmless.The first dye release took place last month at Kogel Bay and after studying the results from this experiment, the second release which will be filmed, will take place at Strand beach. Using the South African Weather Service’s experimental rip current forecast model, along with their standard operational coastal forecast systems, the rip current research team identified a strong likelihood for rip currents to occur on Wednesday, 20 October 2021. Rip currents are powerful channels of fast-moving water. A rip is an area that is often without wave activity and appears darker and deceptively calmer than the rest of the ocean. These currents move fast and can be deadly, as panicked swimmers often try to counter them by swimming straight back to shore - putting themselves at risk of drowning because of fatigue.‘One of the top reasons for drownings at our beaches is swimming where there are no lifeguards present. The absence of lifeguards is the first indicator that it isn’t safe to swim there. Aside from emergency rescues, City lifeguards work closely with the NSRI to examine the surf and determine the safest swimming beaches. Only beaches where the red and yellow flags are put up and where lifeguards are on duty are deemed safe. Outside of those areas, the coastline can be deceptively attractive for bathers looking for a quiet spot or secluded area to swim. In many instances, the surf is unsafe and bathers can quickly lose their lives in the unfortunate event that they get caught in a rip current,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.In the event that you get caught in a rip current:<ul><li><div style="text-align:left;">Don’t panic and try to fight against the current</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Allow the current to pull you further towards the ocean but try to swim sideways out of the current and then to shore</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">If you can’t escape, float or tread water and preserve your energy</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Draw attention for help by calling out or waving for assistance</div></li></ul>If you see someone caught in a rip current, do not enter the water and try to help them even if you are a strong swimmer and trained in rescue unless you have flotation. Rather call a lifeguard, the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre on 021 480 7700 from a cellphone or 107 from a landline, or the NSRI on 087 094 9774. ‘The City is always looking to use technology and experience to find new ways to educate the public on water safety, especially as beaches get busy during the festive season. We appreciate the positive working relationship with the NSRI and look forward to taking advantage of the powerful medium of social media to share the video footage with the public, raising awareness of the dangers of the ocean to encourage swimming in areas clearly marked safe and where lifeguards are on duty,’ added Councillor Badroodien.For more information on listed safe swimming beaches identified by the City and the schedule of lifeguard operational hours, download CT Beaches: Lifeguard Duty Schedule from the City’s website. End

2021-10-18T22:00:00Z

City encourages vaccination to protect economy

Statement by the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Opportunities and Asset Management, Alderman James Vos

To get Cape Town’s economy running at full speed again, it is critical that we get as many people vaccinated as possible. <figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"> <img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/vos%20pep.jpeg" alt="" style="width:778px;" /> </figure>This is why I was so excited to hand over some of the City’s new ‘jabs for jobs’ selfie frames at Pep Clothing (Pepclo) in Parow.The retail giant – which is South Africa's largest clothing manufacturer under one roof - has jabbed nearly 500 of its 1 600 staff at its onsite and offsite vaccination sites.This is a huge achievement because it shows the world that the stakeholders in one of Cape Town’s most significant industries is playing their part to keep their staff and customers safe. In fact, reaching population immunity (where most of the country is vaccinated) would be good for the economy as it reduces the likelihood of further hard lockdowns, a study by Discovery Health's Health Policy Unit, Business 4 SA and PwC has found.As a member of the Cape Clothing and Textile Cluster, Pepclo has already shown its commitment to helping the industry reach its pre-pandemic growth trajectory.Between 2014 and 2015, exports grew by 12,6%, driven by strong increases in exports to Namibia (Cape Town’s largest export market for clothing and textile products). Exports to the United States, under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), has increased by 53,2%, making it the fastest-growing of Cape Town’s top export markets (Wesgro, 2016).This is why I am urging other clothing and textile sector players and businesses in other industries to follow Pepclo’s lead in making the vaccines as accessible as possible to their employees.These jabs are the most powerful shot in our fight against Covid-19, revitalising the economy and building back better. End

2021-10-18T22:00:00Z

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