Nature and outdoors

City to spend R65m on new transport facility for Somerset West

The construction of the new PTI is the biggest public investment in the central business district of Somerset West in recent years and will transform the CBD area with multiple benefits for commuters

The construction of the new PTI is the biggest public investment in the central business district of Somerset West in recent years and will transform the CBD area with multiple benefits for commuters, pedestrians, public transport operators and traders.The PTI will be constructed on two different sites in the Somerset West CBD, one behind the Town Hall and another on the Shoprite side. It is designed for minibus-taxi operators, bus services, informal traders, and thousands of commuters.If all goes as planned, the building work will commence by the end of November 2021. The public is invited to attend an open day where more information will be shared. The details are as follows:<ul><li><div style="text-align:left;">Date: Friday, 5 November 2021</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Time: 15:00 to 19:00</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Venue: Somerset West Municipal Offices, located at 63 Andries Pretorius Street</div></li></ul>The new PTI will comprise two sites abutting Church, Andries Pretorius and Victoria Streets. Together, it will be approximately 4 000m² in size to accommodate both minibus-taxi operators and the Golden Arrow Bus Service.‘If all goes as planned, we will commence with construction by the end of November. Given the magnitude of this project – we intend to spend approximately R65 million – it will take about two years to complete. During this time, there will be an impact on all of those frequenting the area, from commuters to public transport operators, the general public, pedestrians and the informal traders. We want to ensure that users are well aware of how they will be affected and I urge all to please attend the meeting so that they can be informed ahead of time,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Transport, Councillor Rob Quintas.The construction will be done in phases to limit the inconvenience to commuters and all of those working and doing business in the area.‘I want to say upfront that some level of inconvenience is to be expected. We need the community and operators and traders to please support the project so that we can complete the construction on time without any delays,’ said Councillor Quintas.The PTI will include a new annexure building where operators can host meetings. The double story building will include an ablution facility on the ground floor. Covered waiting areas will protect commuters from sun and rain and wind, and there will be facilities for informal traders.‘The construction will include green building elements such as rain water harvesting, solar panels, permeable paving and LED lighting. Given climate change and our focus on environmental sustainability, all of the City’s projects include green elements to make our infrastructure more resilient and environmentally friendly,’ said Councillor Quintas.Pedestrians and road users in general, will also benefit from this project:<ul><li><div style="text-align:left;">All of the new walking lanes will be universally accessible with dropped kerbs and tactile paving for those with special needs</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">The upgrade of Church Street will make it more pedestrian friendly and improve the overall safety of road users</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">The upgrades will improve traffic flow in the area</div></li></ul>‘City officials have hosted several meetings with interested and affected parties, among which the minibus-taxi associations, informal traders, the local business forum, tenants, and the library services. They took the comments into consideration and made some changes to the initial design of the PTI. We are looking forward to the construction getting underway, and most importantly, to the investment that will go a long way in uplifting the Somerset West CBD area,’ said the local ward councillor, Councillor Stuart Pringle.About 300 minibus-taxis will operate from the new PTI, serving 12 destinations: Lwandle, Macassar, Firgrove, Strand, Nomzamo, Sir Lowry’s Pass Town, Zola, Khayelitsha, Stellenbosch, Somerset West and surroundings, and Grabouw. The Golden Arrow Bus Service will also operate from the facility.‘We estimate that approximately 1 000 commuters will make use of the PTI on weekdays. This is a major project and will benefit the local community and businesses, and most importantly, we want to provide a safe, convenient, comfortable, and dignified space for the commuters and operators from the Somerset West area,’ said Councillor Quintas. End

2021-10-19T22:00:00Z

City-sponsored event takes Cape Town designs to the world

Clothing and textile continues to be a major player in Cape Town’s economy and, through the City’s continued support of Strategic Business Partners (SBPs) such as the Cape Town Fashion Council (CTFC), the Cape Clothing & Textile Cluster (CCTC), and the Craft and Design Institute (CDI), we are helping to grow the sector back to where it was many years ago before the influx of cheap imports

Taking place at The Lookout at the V&A Waterfront, the hybrid event is expected to welcome some 2 000 people into a physical and virtual space where they will find quality products from some of the Mother City’s most innovative designers and businesses. ‘The sector is the second-largest employer within the manufacturing sector in Cape Town and currently employs 24 734 people in the city. ‘Clothing and textile continues to be a major player in Cape Town’s economy and, through the City’s continued support of Strategic Business Partners (SBPs) such as the Cape Town Fashion Council (CTFC), the Cape Clothing & Textile Cluster (CCTC), and the Craft and Design Institute (CDI), we are helping to grow the sector back to where it was many years ago before the influx of cheap imports,’ said Alderman Vos. <figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"> <img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/design%203.jpeg" alt="" style="width:1069px;" /> </figure>Between 2014 and 2015, sectoral 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).All Fashion Sourcing is aimed at linking local and international suppliers and manufactures with retailers, chain stores and private labels and to create a high-profile trade fair showcasing quality products and services and industry experts. The event places a spotlight on SMMEs and helping them to explore international business opportunities.‘Through events such as All Fashion Sourcing, we have the potential to ensure that Cape Town continues to be the go-to city on the African continent and globally for business, trade, and clothing and textile,’ said Alderman Vos. <img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/design%201.jpeg" alt="" style="width:1069px;" /> As the country and world emerges from the pandemic, the local industry is poised for renewed growth in 2021 and beyond.‘Cape Town has a legacy for making clothing and textile products that is unmatched in its quality and so it gives me great pleasure that the City is providing a platform to not only keep that legacy alive, but to share it with the world through such an event. This will keep our city at the forefront of design and creativity,’ said Alderman Vos. End

2021-10-19T22:00:00Z

City signs agreement that will create 337 jobs in Philippi

The initiative is funded by National Treasury via the Presidential Employment Programme (PEP) to the tune of R17,7 million in the current financial year ending 30 June 2022.

The second phase of the countrywide Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme now extends to metro municipalities. The City is proud to announce that it has signed an implementation agreement with its implementing partner, the Philippi Economic Development Initiative (PEDI), to implement the Philippi Opportunity Area Regeneration Initiative over the next few months.The initiative is funded by National Treasury via the Presidential Employment Programme (PEP) to the tune of R17,7 million in the current financial year ending 30 June 2022. <img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/City%20signs%20agreement%20-%20Philippi.jpg" alt="" style="width:845px;" /> ‘We are extremely excited about the possibilities and opportunities the funding and subsequent signing of the MOA will bring to the residents of Philippi. It is estimated that at least 337 temporary job opportunities will be created by the end of June next year. Our residents need jobs. With work comes dignity, improved living conditions and hope, and the signing of the MOA is paving the way,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Marian Nieuwoudt.The project is one of 12 city-wide public employment projects that form part of this initiative.The Philippi Opportunity Area (POA) is prioritised as a catalytic precinct and earmarked for significant future investment and development. The City’s Urban Catalytic Investment Department has developed a programme of initiatives and interventions, including a pipeline of infrastructure investment, to unlock economic opportunities among others, in the POA. With the aid of grant funding a Precinct Management Unit (PMU) is already operating in Philippi, which is managed by PEDI, an NGO from the greater Philippi area, to assist with implementing basic urban management functions and initiatives.The additional funding from the Presidential Employment Programme will assist to accelerate these efforts. The new initiative will include 337 temporary employment opportunities, including: • Cleaning of open spaces and stormwater facilities, along main routes, and clearing of illegal dumping • Neighbourhood watch safety patrols in local ward areas • Community art and place making initiatives such as murals and decorating of street furniture • Street and neighbourhood naming initiatives • Bush clearing and organic waste processing • Compost manufacturing plant, packaging and distribution of products to a network of emerging farmers in the area • Community liaison officers The project will span over a period of eight months until 30 June 2022, with an option to extend, should more funding become available.‘Work will be arranged in small teams and cover all the wards of Subcouncil 13 within the wider Philippi area. The project will be implemented in line with the City’s established Expanded Public Work Programme (EPWP) and procedures. Following the signing of the implementation agreement, the planning and recruitment for the initiative is now under way in earnest. In line with its urgency, the first work teams will hit the ground during next month,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Management, Alderman Grant Twigg. The project will provide some relief to the devastating economic impact of Covid-19. It is also designed to provide participants with vocational and life skills and prepare them for more formal and longer term employment opportunities, or even self-employment and entrepreneurship ventures in future. ‘By leveraging our established community networks and relationships, we are excited to partner with the City in this initiative. We are determined to make an impact on the current socio-economic circumstances, not only of the project participants, but also to benefit the wider Philippi community,’ said Thomas Swana, the CEO of PEDI. End

2021-10-19T22:00:00Z

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

All City online services and applications

View all actions

Top City Connect services

Service Requests/Report a Fault (C3)