Preparation at the site designated for the Chapman’s Peak four-lane toll plaza and office complex began last week, with official construction beginning this week. Estimates put completion of the complex to happen around Easter next year.

A proposed Chapman’s Peak four-lane toll plaza, accompanied by a large two-storey office complex, will this week become a reality.

The Minister for Transport and Public Works in the Western Cape, Robin Carlisle, has confirmed construction would officially start early this week.

Carlisle outlined aspects that were seemingly “obscured in the highly emotionally charged [public] debate,” in a brochure he issued last week:

There is a great deal of confusion, misinformation, speculation and rumour regarding the tolling of Chappies. Matters of public concern are best addressed when the people are fully informed.

This brochure seeks to do just that. The document explains the following key facts about Chapman’s Peak Drive which may have been obscured in the highly emotionally charged debate.

Carlisle highlighted the following important bits of information in the brochure:

Without tolling, Chapman’s Peak Drive will be permanently closed.

Due process has been followed from the beginning, including an extensive public participation and appeals process spanning eight years.

The SANParks land involved is in fact 0,022% of 970 hectares sold by province to SANParks in 2003, for R1 200.

The operations centre and toll plaza are vital to the operations and safety needed to manage Chapman’s Peak Drive as a whole and which replaces unacceptable temporary working conditions.

Day passes can continue provided permanent tolling facilities are introduced.

Carlisle continued:

I am totally committed to the safety and sustainability of Chappies. I have always been.

A centralised and efficient management operation in a permanent facility is essential to meeting that commitment for the benefit of all South Africans.

An estimated 2 500 – 3 000 Capetonians joined a mass protest against the development organised by the Hout Bay Residents Association last week Sunday.

Chairman of the Hout Bay Residents Association, Len Swimmer, says the association is in the process of seeking legal advice, but Carlisle was confident stating: “I think everything will go smoothly,” reiterating that he hoped the association wouldn’t go to court as that would merely slow down the development.

[Sources: TourismUpdate, WesternCapeGovernment]