Cape Town residents are urged to pay attention to road closure signs, for their safety. Image: iStock
Cape Town residents urged to take note of road CLOSURE signs
Western Cape residents are urged, to pay attention to road closure signs, as they are in place for their safety.
Cape Town residents are urged to pay attention to road closure signs, for their safety. Image: iStock
Western Cape Minister of Infrastructure, Tertuis Simmers, urged residents to pay attention to road closure signs, as they are in place for their safety.
The Western Cape Government has been working round the clock to re-open roads and, along with their partners, assist communities that have been badly affected by the recent heavy rains and flooding, some mop-up operations are taking some time to complete due to the extent of the damage.
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Which roads are prioritised?
“While main routes and alternatives to main routes are prioritised, at times, despite being a high priority, we have to wait for the flood water to subside. This is in the case where a road remains under water or where landslips have occurred. For example, both Clarence Drive and Franschhoek Pass have significant landslips, and repair work cannot commence until the slips have stabilised,” read the statement.
When prioritising the road repairs, the provincial government considers the main routes and alternatives to main routes; access to communities that have been cut off completely for humanitarian relief, food and emergency services; and roads which are of economic importance, such as those needed for movement of goods/exports, among other things.
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What is the estimated costs for storm damage repairs?
On the estimated total cost of storm damage, the costs for repairs cannot be confirmed at this stage, until all inspections and assessments of damage have been carried out.
“It is likely to be a considerable amount, when taking into account for example among other costs the number of bridges and roads that have been completely washed away,” read the statement.
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Meanwhile, the provincial government has appealed to citizens who assist displaced families with donations in the form of blankets, water, dry and non-perishable food, baby food and toiletries.
Citizens who are able to donate towards relief efforts are requested to drop off any donations at the following offices of the SA Red Cross Society:
- Wynberg: 21 Broad Road, Wynberg
- Greyton: 11 Pointers Way, Heuwelkroon, Greyton
- Hermanus: 2A Aberdeen Street, Hermanus
- Knysna: 25 Trotter Street, Knysna
The province has expressed its appreciation to all officials, including teams on the ground and partners, for hard work thus far and the work currently underway.
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