Bold plans to upgrade CBD

The East London Central Business District (CBD) is about to become friendlier to consumers.

Buffalo City Metro has embarked on a CBD regeneration project to ease traffic movement and create safer movement for pedestrians.

Mayoral spokesman Sibusiso Cindi said the project fell under the build environment performance plan approved by council in the IDP for the 2015-16 financial year.

The metro has received an Integrated City Development Grant to the tune of R5-million to conduct feasibility studies. The focus of the project is a review on proposals for one-way streets in both Oxford Street and Cambridge Street.

The study will also look at parking needs in the CBD.

“We are looking at defining optimum pedestrian pathways within the East London CBD and linking key usage areas, such as the soon-to-be completed Gilwell Mall Taxi City Centre, the University of Fort Hare southern campus (south of Fleet Street), City Hall and the Sleeper site proposals,” Cindi said.

“The improvement and upgrading of public areas is an integral part of the CBD regeneration process.”

Cindi said the development objectives envisioned include:

lBuilding an inner city that is functional and liveable;

lImproving the aesthetics of the built environment;

lImproving lighting and landscaping, cleanliness and personal safety;

lOptimising the use of existing facilities;

lEnabling integration, accessibility and connectivity of the East London CBD into the wider surrounding inner city areas, particularly the Sleeper site, beachfront and Quigney;

lRationalising lanes for minibus taxis and public transit;

lReducing travel lanes for cars, especially trucks;

lTreating taxis as an integral part of the system and working towards the optimisation and integration of their services;

lConsolidating long-distance services in close proximity to Gilwell Taxi Rank to facilitate efficient transfer between different modes of transport ;

lEstablishing a walking network in the inner core that conveniently connects pedestrians to public transport;

lExpanding and improving pedestrian areas and pedestrian crossings; and

lPromoting economic sustainability and high-intensity activity in the CBD.

“After the studies have been concluded, the visual impressions and the capital budgets for implementation will be determined, incorporated into the IDP processes of the Metro and shared with the public.”

An upgrade of the East London port, a revamp of the West Bank race track and a new N2 bypass road are just some of the planned improvements.

Mayor Alfred Mtsi said the developments would increase economic development opportunities for young up and coming businesses and attract major businesses to the city. — zisandan@dispatch.co.za