The proposed extension of the Gautrain route to new stations in the Randburg CBD, Northgate (called Cosmo City Station) and Little Falls in Roodepoort has been met with plenty of praise and opposition.
Interested parties had until August 15 to make written comments about the proposed route extensions, which the Gautrain Management Agency (GMA) claims will bring jobs, economic growth and urban development to these areas, besides providing a transport benefit.
The Randburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) welcomed the news and even wrote in to suggest a further route extension to Lanseria International Airport.
The Automobile Association of South Africa, on the other hand, has said the Gautrain system has been in decline for years and fails to serve the masses.
Phase 1 of the proposed Gauteng Rapid Rail Integrated Network Extension (GRRINN) incorporates a proposed new Cosmo City Station (situated in Northgate between 3km and 13km by road from Cosmo City at its nearest and furthest points – City of Johannesburg noted in an alignment route report that it would have preferred the station to be in Cosmo City), and a new Randburg Station.
Then there is also a proposed new station and depot facility in Little Falls and plans to upgrade the existing Sandton Station.
This route extension will mostly be above ground (apart from the underground area of the network at Randburg CBD) and should the proposal become reality, residential homes, schools and roads will be affected. These are listed at the end of this article.
Some properties will be expropriated, and their owners compensated.
Residents in Ward 101 are particularly worried about this as the route goes through several of their suburbs.
Ward 101 councillor Dalu Cele said he shared their concern and hoped their homes and the natural environment will be as protected as possible.
At the same time, he said public transport was very poor in Joburg and there was no train route between Randburg CBD and Cosmo City currently, so this would be beneficial as a transport mode as well as for its economic benefits.
RCCI CEO, Linda Blackbeard has described the route extension as a bane for those who may have to give up their properties, but a boon to everyone else nearby.
“I think the Gautrain expansion through Randburg will be a huge boost,” Blackbeard said.
“Look at the impact the Gautrain has had on the Rosebank area and property values.”
A graphic of the proposed route extension is also included and shows how Little Falls, Northgate (Cosmo City Station), Randburg CBD, Sandton and Malboro will be connected.
A full environmental impact assessment has not yet been done and this is required by law, along with further consultation with affected parties.
However, a 46-page environmental screening report was conducted by the Gautrain Management Agency, and it had a number of conclusions and recommendations but claimed the proposed route will have minimal environmental impact.
The proposed route will run through the following suburbs:
- Aanwins AH
- Amarosa
- Barlow Park
- Bellairs Park
- Blairgowrie
- Bordeaux
- Cosmo City
- Craighall
- Ferndale
- Glenadrienne SP1
- Hurlingham
- Jackal Creek Golf Estate
- Marlboro Gardens
- Northgate
- North Riding AH
- North Riding
- Ruimsig AH
- Sandhurst
- Sandown
- Sharonlea
- Sonnedal AH
- Willowbrook.
The following major roads will be crossed, either as a rail-over-road or as a road-over-rail configuration:
- Bellairs Drive
- Beyers Naudé Drive
- Bordeaux Drive
- Bram Fischer Drive
- Hendrik Potgieter Road
- Malibongwe Drive
- N1 Western Bypass
- Northumberland Avenue
- Slovenia Street
- President Fouche Road.
Non-residential areas that will be affected include:
- Mellow Oaks Academy (PLG Schools) – Educational (Aanwins AH)
- Parking area of Club Motors – BMW Car Dealership (Ferndale)
- 90 Oxford Street – French Park (Ferndale)
- Provantage Media Group (Bordeaux).
More information about this new route network can be found here
