The Melville Safe Streets project reaches 66% threshold to enable an application to the city to be submitted.
The ambitious project will now petition the city in a bid to close off several entry and exit points to the suburb, though some have concerns.
*Originally the East and West sections were incorrectly indicated. This has been amended and the Northcliff Melville Times apologises for the error.
A resident in Westdene is concerned that should the Melville Safe Streets project go ahead, access to public spaces for those in surrounding suburbs might be affected.
The aim of the project is to try and secure large parts of the suburb. It has reached the threshold needed to submit an application to the city.
The Melville Safe Streets project falls under the Melville Security Initiative which hopes to cordon off the suburb in a bid to make it safer.
In order for any application to the city which seeks to restrict access to existing streets needs at least 66% support from those who will be affected.
Gaelene Kramers lives in Westdene and worries that the ‘privatisation of public spaces’ will have far-reaching negative consequences. “I am respectful of the Melville community for being so organised, but this affects those of us who bought in the area specifically because of the eclectic and open suburbs.”
She worries further that traffic will become a nightmare and says she is not sure ‘residents both in and out of the two areas are fully aware of the details for the plans’.
There are currently two areas envisioned which are separated by Main Road. The smaller section to the West is far from reaching a quota of support but plans to apply for permissions for the East are underway.
One of the drivers of the project, Herman de Lange, hopes continued public awareness and interaction will soothe most fears. “We are a very long way off from implementing this should the city approve our plans. Hundreds of thousands of rands have been spent ensuring our traffic impact study was done correctly and the council will advise if adjustments are necessary to compensate for unregulated traffic flow.”
Neither he nor others involved in this project wish to create ‘a nightmare’ but want to improve an already vibrant and welcoming community. “Melville is a unique suburb with a rich heritage that attracts strong attention from other areas. We need to preserve this and protect it, so it is safer for residents, businesses and visitors.”
What happens next?
Should the application be granted, a new requirement would be to try and secure enough support to pay for the upgrades. “There are no compulsory costs and contributing will be completely voluntary.”
De Lange said their submission will go through in-depth and exhaustive evaluations by city entities. “The city, rightly so, has very strict guidelines on pedestrian and emergency access among other considerations, and it will not be granted if it will harm the city.”
Isaac Khan, an independent specialist in enclosures works for The Suburban Solution and has been involved in close to 150 such applications. He said: “The municipality is generally not opposed to road closures provided that all the procedures are followed according to the policy on Access Restrictions as well as the Rationalisation of Local Government Affairs Act 10 of 1998.”
This process he says will take at least another year and will have a transparent objection period where concerned residents and businesses can lodge their misgivings and concerns.
“According to the policy, the consultation with neighbouring suburbs is only done after the application is considered and an interim approval is issued. This is done by publishing adverts in both the government gazette as well as in the local newspaper for public participation before final approval is given.”
Melville, he says, “Attempted to engage with everyone and anyone that has responded to its extensive public participation processes over several years to reach this point.”
He said he hopes there will be more discussions with people who have concerns even though the public window for objections was not yet open.
Ward 87 councillor Bridget Steer said, “This has been a community-driven process and it is not for councillors to have an opinion but I will make sure that it is done by the book if it happens. This is only phase one and I have seen nothing so far that seems problematic or against the constitution and the rights of movement for people either by car or on foot.”
The city was contacted on March 27, 28, 31, and April 3 for comment but none was provided.
Related Article:
