City calling for comments on closure of Buttskop Road, Blackheath

22 February 2026

The City of Cape Town is proposing a permanent road closure of Buttskop Road from Trafford Road to Van Riebeeck Road, and Meadow Road in Blackheath. This is to allow for the Zevenwacht link road extension, between Van Riebeeck Road and Albert Philander Road in order to do away with the Buttskop rail level crossing. Residents are encouraged to provide input on the proposal between 25 February 2026 and 25 March 2026. The City has made important amendments to the map (previously communicated) to illustrate the proposed changes. Read more below:

‘We urge residents to please comment on the proposal for the closure of this portion of Buttskop Road in Blackheath. The proposed changes will allow for a permanent solution, which will see a substantial increase in the overall safety for all road users in the area. The Buttskop rail level crossing has been the subject of several rail and road safety investigations in recent years due to the number of fatal crashes at this location and we would appreciate the input from the community on these important plans,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas.

The City investigated alternative road network options to eliminate the level crossing. The preliminary design for the permanent elimination of the level crossing was completed at the end of 2019. In 2020, the City in collaboration with Prasa and the Rail Safety Regulator realigned Frederick Street as a short-term safety measure to reduce the risk of crashes between trains and vehicles at the Buttskop level crossing in Blackheath.

The City's long-term plan is to implement a grade separation (bridge) so that Buttskop rail crossing is removed in order to do so, the City therefore needs to reorganise the local road network in the area.

The proposed alternative solution included the construction of a single carriageway along the future declared N7 between Albert Philander Road and Van Riebeeck Road, with new signalised intersections at both roads and the construction of a bridge over the rail line.

This solution requires the following to be implemented:

The closure of Buttskop Road from Trafford Road to Van Riebeeck Road, including the existing level crossing.
Trafford Road will also be extended southwards, passing underneath the proposed road and looping back to intersect with it between the two signalised intersections at Van Riebeeck Road and Albert Philander Road.
A road-over-road bridge will be constructed where Trafford Road passes under the new road.

The following road closures are therefore now required:

Closure of the portion of Buttskop Road north of Trafford Street, including the Buttskop/Van Riebeeck intersection.
Partial mid-block closure of Meadow Road.

Residents are invited to attend the public open days next week:

24 February 2026
- Time: 16:00- 19:00
- Venue: Blackheath Community Hall, Evergreen Drive, Austinville
26 February 2026
- Time: 12:00-15:00
- Venue: Blackheath Community Hall, Evergreen Drive, Austinville

using the City's website.

The public may submit their input on this proposal between 25 February 2026 and 25 March 2026 via:

Email: urbanmobility.CT@capetown.gov.za (quote reference: 110252611)
Online: Using the City's website.
Written submission:
- Subcouncil 14 office: Municipal Offices, corner of Van Riebeeck Road and Carinus Street, Kuilsrivier
- Library: Kuilsrivier Public Library, 12 Carinus Street, Kuilsrivier

021 400 9809

Mbuthokazi.Kubashe@capetown.gov.za

For technical queries, email urbanmobility.CT@capetown.gov.za.

Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office