Residents do not want to lose their homes

Residents in Ward 101 are concerned about the proposed route of the Gautrain extension, as it runs through several suburbs in the area and some may have their homes expropriated.

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), and a new Randburg Station.

These will be connected to a new station in Little Falls in Roodepoort as well as an upgraded Sandton Station and the existing Malboro Station.

This route extension will mostly be above ground (apart from the underground area of network at Randburg CBD) and, should the proposal become reality, residential homes, schools and roads will be affected.

Ward 101 councillor Dalu Cele said residents in his area became ‘hugely concerned’ when they learned of this. “However, any improvement in public transportation should be welcomed, particularly if it would be affordable,” he said.

“My view is that our public transport is very poor in our city in terms of accessibility and cost. For an efficient train service, certainly it is needed. There is no currently train services through Randburg to Cosmo City.”

The Gautrain should also bring an economic boost to areas surrounding the new stations, and provide accessibility and economic activity, Cele said.

However, the ward councillor said he is also concerned about the expropriation of homes, and hopes that they, along with the natural environment, will be as protected as possible.

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.