Beaulieu Country Estate Discriminating Against Cyclists

[Gornilla]

Suburban boom gates policy approved February 3 2014 at 10:02am 
By ANNA COX Comment on this story

http://www.iol.co.za/polopoly_fs/copy-of-st-boomgate-533-39690750-1.1640852!/image/2581299977.jpg_gen/derivatives/box_300/2581299977.jpgTHE STARThis security boom in Malanshof, Randburg, is a bone of contention among residents, some of whom refuse to contribute to its cost. The council has now cleared up grey areas in its boom policy. Picture: Motshwari Mofokeng

Johannesburg -

Joburg motorists visiting suburbs with boomed-off areas can no longer be forced to sign in or identify themselves before entering public roads.

A new policy for road closures was approved by the City of Joburg last week. The policy becomes effective within 30 days.

 

Residents of suburbs, particularly in wealthy areas, began closing off public roads with boom gates in 2001 following increasing incidents of crime.

An initial policy was formulated in 2003 but was never approved. Instead, the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) dealt with applications on a case-by-case basis.

According to the new policy:

* No electronic devices such as remote controls may be used.

* One gate has to be manned 24-hours a day, with full, free vehicular and pedestrian access; other gates may have limited hours of operation, but need to be accessible 24 hours a day.

* A resident who chooses not to be a part of the group may not be prejudiced in any way.

* All gates must have 24-hour pedestrian access with wheelchair accessibility and, in case of an emergency, all gates must be able to open.

* Security staff can only monitor activity – they may not search vehicles or people, or ask them to fill in a register or ask for any personal information, nor may security staff cause delay for other motorists.

* No private lock can be placed on these gates; and

* Plans for closures have to be submitted, and proper warning signs have to be erected.

In addition, time frames have now been put in place for almost every step of the procedure, which is likely to facilitate approvals that, in the past, were delayed for years.

In the past, the road closure issue has caused divisions among communities, with unhappy residents breaking down booms with their cars in protest

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In Malanshof, where non-paying residents are refused a remote control to some gates, the community is constantly at war

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The JRA started tearing down some of the booms around 2004, much to the fury of residents who claimed they had a right to protect themselves.

The JRA then agreed to allow those already boomed off to remain closed, though the applications were never formally approved. The JRA says there are about 350 closures in the city.

“Anyone who fails to enter into, or contravenes the terms and conditions of the policy or neglects to remove illegal structures becomes subject to the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act, and the closures will be removed in terms of the road and other by-laws,” said JRA spokesman Sam Modiba.

 

DA transport spokesman Nico de Jager said the new policy was more user-friendly than before with clear time frames that even the SAPS must abide by. If they fail to, the applications can go ahead.

“In the past, an application could take months and even years to be concluded, often due to lack of co-operation from the SAPS. Applicants were required to submit a very costly traffic impact study when they first applied, as well as when they reapplied. In terms of the revised policy, such a study will no longer be required on reapplication.

 

“Although residents should not be seen as living in pockets, creating a further divide between rich and poor, there can also be no price on the right to feeling safe in one’s home,” said De Jager.

anna.cox@inl.co.za

The Star

 

 

http://www.joburg.org.za/images/stories/2012/August/security%20access%20restriction%20policy.pdf

 

[Ramrod]

That's the problem right there.

 

That road is not your area, it's a public road.

When i refer to "your area" i am referring to an area in which i live! Not in terms of ownership!

 

Same as people say they are form the south or from Benoni or wherever!

[Ramrod]

Think we should give the guys a call and hear what they have to say.

 

From what I understand the road going through the estate is a public road and therefore they cannot enforce any other rules but normal road rules upon citizens.

 

http://www.beaulieu-estate.co.za/

 admin@beaulieu-estate.co.za 011 702 1874

I have already tried to contact you. This is not just my families safety at stake but also a substantial financial investment i have made!!!

[Wyatt Earp]

That's the problem right there.

 

That road is not your area, it's a public road.

Look, we can't argue that it is a protected area with permission given for the booms by the council, the residents even went as far as to upgrade all the electric fencing on the outer perimeter.

The gate closure is a semi gate closure because it simply can not be completely closed off as a result of the public roads .

 

All that is really a moot point based on the fact that someone has been on a power trip and it is now breeding unnecessary animosity between cyclists and the estate .

[Ramrod]

Hi Ramrod

 

Are you aware of any incident with cyclists in the past weeks ?

It really only takes one or two bad apples .

There have been a number of issues. I am also trying to find out though of any other issues and the reasoning for implementing the pedestrian turnstile function. 

[nathrix]

Does the residents also have to use the turnstiles when they go out cycling?

[Wyatt Earp]

There have been a number of issues. I am also trying to find out though of any other issues and the reasoning for implementing the pedestrian turnstile function. 

I thought so.

We were trying to get behind the logic of it this morning and BenDL suggested that may be the case.

Either way, we don't like the idea, it's not good for anyone, us and pedestrians alike.

I would love to know if there were issues.

If you find out something they are welcome to meet with all of us from Bicyclesafety so we can find a resolve .

[Ramrod]

Does the residents also have to use the turnstiles when they go out cycling?

This is the first incident i have heard of and like i said before i am trying to find out more.  What time did you guys go through? Were there lots of cars already queuing?

[Ramrod]

I thought so.

We were trying to get behind the logic of it this morning and BenDL suggested that may be the case.

Either way, we don't like the idea, it's not good for anyone, us and pedestrians alike.

I would love to know if there were issues.

If you find out something they are welcome to meet with all of us from Bicyclesafety so we can find a resolve .

I agree totally. And if there are/were issues they should be resolved or try to be resolved in a reasonable manner.

 

The one problem i see is that it is not just your group that rides through. So while an amicable solution could be found to suit some, would the other cyclist be able to be informed?

[Mats]

I have already tried to contact you.

 

Sorry I was in a meeting and couldn't take your call.

We went through the gate at about 6:20 this morning. 

[nathrix]

This is the first incident i have heard of and like i said before i am trying to find out more.  What time did you guys go through? Were there lots of cars already queuing?

 

There were no cars queuing. They stopped our group at the boom this morning just before 6:30 and told us to use the turnstiles. They kept us there long enough for a few vehicles to wait for them to open the boom as it was a bit difficult to turn around against traffic and cross the road to the other side to get to the turnstile which is not cycling friendly at all.

[varkie]

Stop at gate, dismount, pick bike up, walk through gate, mount, ride? Call it urban roque riding?

[nathrix]

Stop at gate, dismount, pick bike up, walk through gate, mount, ride? Call it urban roque riding?

 

And motorcyclists, do they also have to pick up their bikes?

 

They are expecting cyclists to cross the road into oncoming traffic to exit Beaulieu estate which is just as dangerous. It's very difficult to get yourself and your bicycle through the pedestrian turnstile and then there is only space for one pedestrian at a time on the paving where they are all busy walking. You then have to cross again to the other side after going through.

[Wyatt Earp]

And motorcyclists, do they also have to pick up their bikes?

 

They are expecting cyclists to cross the road into oncoming traffic to exit Beaulieu estate which is just as dangerous. It's very difficult to get yourself and your bicycle through the pedestrian turnstile and then there is only space for one pedestrian at a time on the paving where they are all busy walking. You then have to cross again to the other side after going through.

He is from Stellenbosch and just wanted to have his say .

[Ramrod]

Ok so we have had guards verbally and physically assaulted by cyclists who expected the guard to be looking down the road expecting their arrival so that the boom could be opened in time so that said cyclist/group of cyclists didn't have to unclip and put their foot down.

 

Nathrix you tell me if that is right or not?

 

Again it comes down to mutual respect! Respect the guards and the fact that they have a job to do and you in turn will be respected. Yes you might have to wait while he completes whatever he/ she is doing and he/she will then open the boom for you.

 

Alternatively if you/plural are disrespectful don't expect someone to be at your beck and call!

 

Please don't take the above as being directed at Wyatt's group of this morning although they were the affected party but if was the security manager/company I would have done exactly the same.

 

Wyatt- I will forward you the contact details of Johan our security manager and he more than willing to address the issue with you directly!

[nathrix]

Ramrod you of all people should know my character ???? I know what is right from wrong and there has NEVER been an incident where our group abused or even remotely lost our tempers in any of the rides I've been on that i am aware of and we have always been polite and thanked them, even if we had to wait. They should also know our group by now which actually surprises me. Unfortunately security now treats ALL cyclists as scum just because of a small group who do not have any manners! We don't go complaining about all the trails being gated up and go on a tangent about that because we know it's due to security and some cyclists who just don't consider people on horses. The point is though, discriminating against all cyclists is not right.