K56 to change community lifestyle
GLENFERNESS - The proposed K56 road has sparked anger among the Fourways community who fear the road will jeopardise the area’s wetlands and destroy the R800 million horse industry.
As reported in Fourways Review, week ending 20 April, the K56, would link Fourways to Midrand cutting through wetlands and 40 properties.
With debates on e-tolling rife, roads have taken centre stage in the news and the proposed K56 road is being opposed on every front by community members.
Chairman of the Glenferness Residents Association, Chris de Villiers said the community members had responded to the road with, “shock, anger and despair” and were concerned the road would destruct their homes, livelihoods, jobs and a school.
“As residents we will have no benefits from the road whatsoever. The developments that are promoting this road in Dainfern, Crowthorne and Waterfall will be the only ones that benefit the developments on either side.”
Ward councillor Annette Deppe said, “I believe the road is necessary from Midrand to Crowthorne, then we have an existing road that has already been upgraded, the K71/1 Kyalami Main Road.”
She said the road would relieve traffic congestion in the Kyalami, Crowthorne, Carlswarld and Bluehills. She acknowledged that wetlands had to be protected by law.
Chairman of Just Environmental Action, Kristin Kallesen explained the concern for the environmental impact of the road.
“Wetlands are the most endangered eco-systems on the planet. The road crossing through the wetland will have a direct effect, creating immediate damage. Pollution from vehicles and contaminated storm water entering the wetlands will further damage the wetlands and associated eco-systems. The economic benefit of building a road for a few construction projects is short-sighted and the damage irreparable.”
Chairman of the Greater Kyalami Conservancy, Margie Donde agreed. “No matter how much care is taken to protect the wetlands directly there is inevitably a downstream impact of development,” she said.
Cedarwood Preparatory School is in the direct path of the road. Headmistress Jayne Eurelle explained that the country setting of the school was the main attraction. She said the road would affect the school children and staff, some of whom stay on the property.
Donde said, “Once these roads are built, the equine industry here will be decimated and the horse industry’s employment opportunities would be lost.”
The Gauteng Horse Society agreed that the increase in traffic posed a threat to the riding industry.
