Boom gates get the go-ahead

A moratorium on installing security boom gates was imposed in 2003. Now, councillors of the City of Johannesburg have put their seal of approval on the municipality’s Security Access Restriction Policy.

“There was a backlog, but since February 2011 the municipality has contacted all 79 outstanding applicants with various terms and conditions. All have been approved,” explained councillor Tim Truluck in an email to his ward.

The policy sets out the legal framework, requirements and responsibilities of both residents and the City Council in restricting access to residential streets, and aims to give power to residents in securing their community.

Linden Neighbourhood Watch operations manager Fareed Hoosen said that they had applied for a boom about a year ago.

“We thought it would be a better option to install the Licence Plate Recognition (LPR) system instead of waiting for our application for security booms to be approved. We are happy with the LPR system but I can see how restricted access will make a big difference in other suburbs.”

According to the policy, at least one of the access points must be manned and boomed around the clock, others can have 24-hour closed boom access but with the ability to be opened, while additional gates or booms can have limited hours of operation.

Some things to consider when submitting an application are:

• A description of the plan
• A motivation for the application
• A plan of management for the access points
• Details and views of the affected persons
• A traffic impact study at the applicant’s cost must include the impact on pedestrians, cyclists, public transport and emergency and waste-removal services.

The policy comes into effect on 1 March.