Tourism business operators and residents in the OR Tambo region are optimistic that a R60-million investment to rehabilitate and maintain various roads will attract more tourists and boost the economy.
Roads and public works MEC Thandiswa Marawu said her department would embark on a radical road infrastructure revamp project to ensure safety and accessibility to tourism destinations.
Marawu promised that up to 25.5km of roads would be resurfaced, 600km of gravel roads regravelled, 60000m² of surfaced roads resealed and another 60000m² would receive blacktop patching.
Near the end of last year, the department spent R25-million on a full upgrade of a 3.4km access road into Port St Johns.
Nearly R29-million will be spent to upgrade a 4.4km stretch of road which leads to the Luchaba Nature Reserve in Mthatha.
In mid-January this year, the department embarked on a potholes repair project on Willow Road between Mqanduli and Coffee Bay at a cost of R10-million.
The project, which uses infra-red technology to fix the potholes within minutes, began in January and will be completed next month.
Taxi associations, hospitality industry operators and development agencies in the region have given the project a thumbs-up.
Port St John’s Taxi Association chairman Sithembiso Tshakatshela said the fixing of the previously pothole-ridden road had made a difference.
“The time we travel to and from is reduced. There are no disruptions and we are able to work,” he said.
Chairman of the Port St Johns Development Agency, Nzamela Ncoyini, said the primary beneficiaries were the local residents who were investing money in the tourism jewel.
“It is a boost for the local economy and a spin-off that has also enabled tourists to reach their destinations,” said Ncoyini.
Co-partner of Ocean View Hotel in Coffee Bay, Justin Crawford, said his clients had complained a lot about the bad state of the road, which was damaging car tyres.
“Certainly, it will make a difference. It can only help, it’s the last 30km to Coffee Bay that have been very bad,” he said.
Department of roads public works spokesman Mphumzi Zuzile said potholes had a negative impact on the socio-economic development of the Wild Coast because of increased travel time and maintenance costs to vehicles. It also posed as a deterrent to tourism.
Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency's spokeswoman Veliswa Mhlophe said the move was “definitely” a “positive step” for tourism in the area. — loyisom@dispatch. co.za
Roads plan is welcomed
Roads and public works MEC Thandiswa Marawu said her department would embark on a radical road infrastructure revamp project to ensure safety and accessibility to tourism destinations.
Marawu promised that up to 25.5km of roads would be resurfaced, 600km of gravel roads regravelled, 60000m² of surfaced roads resealed and another 60000m² would receive blacktop patching.
Near the end of last year, the department spent R25-million on a full upgrade of a 3.4km access road into Port St Johns.
Nearly R29-million will be spent to upgrade a 4.4km stretch of road which leads to the Luchaba Nature Reserve in Mthatha.
In mid-January this year, the department embarked on a potholes repair project on Willow Road between Mqanduli and Coffee Bay at a cost of R10-million.
The project, which uses infra-red technology to fix the potholes within minutes, began in January and will be completed next month.
Taxi associations, hospitality industry operators and development agencies in the region have given the project a thumbs-up.
Port St John’s Taxi Association chairman Sithembiso Tshakatshela said the fixing of the previously pothole-ridden road had made a difference.
“The time we travel to and from is reduced. There are no disruptions and we are able to work,” he said.
Chairman of the Port St Johns Development Agency, Nzamela Ncoyini, said the primary beneficiaries were the local residents who were investing money in the tourism jewel.
“It is a boost for the local economy and a spin-off that has also enabled tourists to reach their destinations,” said Ncoyini.
Co-partner of Ocean View Hotel in Coffee Bay, Justin Crawford, said his clients had complained a lot about the bad state of the road, which was damaging car tyres.
“Certainly, it will make a difference. It can only help, it’s the last 30km to Coffee Bay that have been very bad,” he said.
Department of roads public works spokesman Mphumzi Zuzile said potholes had a negative impact on the socio-economic development of the Wild Coast because of increased travel time and maintenance costs to vehicles. It also posed as a deterrent to tourism.
Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency's spokeswoman Veliswa Mhlophe said the move was “definitely” a “positive step” for tourism in the area. — loyisom@dispatch. co.za
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