CHAPMANS PEAK CONSTRUCTION

[henry newbi]

DID I HEAR RIGHT THIS MORNING, ARE THEY GOING TO BE WORKING ON CHAPMANSPEAK AGAIN? WHEN WILL THIS START AND DOES THIS MEAN WE WILL HAVE TO DO THE DETOUR ROUTE?

[Wannabe]

Not sure what you heard, but there is a big hooha about them wanting to build a new Tollplaza / Office Block / Accommodation Units on Chappies (Houtbay side). Lot of speculation going around, but no building on Chappies as yet (only ongoing maintenance, etc)

[Tiny K]

Yeah, heard that they wanted to build some structure (read building) along the route, on public land (i.e. not owned by private persons) and would be supported by the govt.... not heard anything else further than that.

[Red Zone]

The go ahead for construction of the toll plaza and office building has apparently been given I don't know if this includes building plan approval or just Environmental Approval. They could start within the next couple of months. There seems to be a lot of work to build canopies over the road and widen the road to five lanes through the plaza. Hopefully this doesn't mean a detour

Edited January 27, 2012 by Foe Fighter

[DJR]

I hope that they build something appropriate for the area, not too high and not too high tech. Something like low key stone work perhaps, or painted to fit in with the surroundings. SANParks should make this a showcase of eco building.

 

I understand that people are upset that the building of a toll has been approved on this land as a matter of principle. To me it makes no sense to have an eyesore like the current shipping containers/office on a permanent basis. Rather build something better. The site is in the old quarry next to the road, so there really is no environmental reason for opposing it.

[LeTurbo]

According to one of the big parking companies, the number of cars passing through Chappies annually (2 800) is a quarter of the number of cars parked at Canal Walk on a Saturday morning. So they actually don't need any of the structures they have there. But then the idea of a "pass card" was mooted, which means you'd need one for MiCiti, for this, for that ... what is it that every company is so card be*** these days? My wallet is only so thick ...

[kandui]

According to the MEC, he has given the ok for work to start in the road reserve and not in the portion which TMNP is going to give away for free to Entilini.

What is pissing everyone off is that Helen Zille spoke of a 30 day public participation process yet 5 days after the protest happened (last Sunday), the go ahead for construction has been given.

This is going to court, but knowing the modus operandi of the politicians, they will keep building in the road reserve to the point where they will argue that there is no point in stopping now. The whole thing will happen, even if a million Capetonians are against it. Big toffee to all of us, but we are giving Entilini R 25 Million of our tax money.

[Reg Lizard]

Pending court case about this. The land on which the buildings are intended use to belong to SANPARKS but is now owned by the Western Cape Provincial Government. Robin Carlisle is taking alot of flack about this

[Lucky Luke.]

I hope that they build something appropriate for the area, not too high and not too high tech. Something like low key stone work perhaps, or painted to fit in with the surroundings. SANParks should make this a showcase of eco building.

 

I understand that people are upset that the building of a toll has been approved on this land as a matter of principle. To me it makes no sense to have an eyesore like the current shipping containers/office on a permanent basis. Rather build something better. The site is in the old quarry next to the road, so there really is no environmental reason for opposing it.

 

Apparently the cost of this plaza is 54 million bucks. Hard to imagine something fit for purpose that could cost that amount of cash. The Entilini tender for Chappies always smelled a bit rotten to me and personally I think Robin Carlisle has some excellent questions to answer on this one.

[Lucky Luke.]

we are giving Entilini R 25 Million of our tax money.

 

Exactly, Entilini are in a position of privilege to be running the toll road over Chappies. The mountain is National Park territory and as such it belongs to all SA citizens and they must answer the tough questions in my opinion and prove that they are worthy of the job. So far they have been anything but transparent about their operation, running costs and profits etc.

[Reg Lizard]

The go ahead for construction of the toll plaza and office building has apparently been given I don't know if this includes building plan approval or just Environmental Approval. They could start within the next couple of months. There seems to be a lot of work to build canopies over the road and widen the road to five lanes through the plaza. Hopefully this doesn't mean a detour

 

The government do not require any building plan approvals of the City if it builds within the road reserve, nor are there any environmental issues. Road reserves are excempted from the regulations/stipulations of the Landuse Planning Ordinance.

[DJR]

54 Million Bucks? Holy Cow - that can only mean a total monstrosity We better make NOISE about this until they use that kind of money to build the whole thing underground.

[Caerus]

Do any locals get discounts if they use Chapmens Peak? Sorry if this is off topic, but was just interested after spending R130 in two days.

[nuge]

Do any locals get discounts if they use Chapmens Peak? Sorry if this is off topic, but was just interested after spending R130 in two days.

only if you ride you bike, sorry.

[Red Zone]

I have seen the plans of the proposed structure and it is not bad at all. In my opinion it is a lot better than the current set up with six shipping containers stacked two storeys high. What grates me is the process that was followed as well as Table Mountain National Park's willingness to allow what is effectively a commercial building within the National Park.

 

Issue number two is that Robin Carlisle seems to be threatening to remove the day pass system if this doesn't get built. My concern is that if the day pass gets dropped cyclist are going to start getting charged to use the road. I always have the nagging feeling that we are on borrowed time with free entry.

[Red Zone]

only if you ride you bike, sorry.

 

Not quite true, residents making frequent use get a discount, you also qualify for a discount with a Wild Card.