Residents of Highlands North and nearby suburbs have been appalled by the recent appearance of a high security fence along stretches of the narrow concrete island recently constructed down the centre of Louis Botha Avenue in preparation for the construction of Rea Vaya bus lanes.
The fence, which in sections leans haphazardly thanks to the placement of, in one resident’s words, square poles in round holes (literally) has many local community members outraged.
“It will force people to walk much further to cross at a junction and then go back to where they wanted to be. Of course if they want to use the Rea Vaya the distance will usually… be the same, but, surprise, surprise, we actually cross the road for other things,” said Mary Hazelton, who has lived on the border of Louis Botha Avenue for 40 years.
“They’re cutting off neighbours from neighbours. This is not a highway,” was the comment of Manuel Cabeleira, longtime owner of the Radium Beerhall.
“This measure will adversely affect the majority of residents, those without cars, those the transport system is designed to help,” added Hazelton, pointing out that the fence is not only ugly, but forces pedestrians crossing Louis Botha Avenue to crowd together in little gaps on the narrow central island, increasing the danger of an accident.
Moreover, Hazelton pointed out, a similarly unpopular fence erected between Alexandra and Wynberg several years ago to protect pedestrians from speeding vehicles, was simply cut by those who were impatient of the restrictions it placed on their movements. It seems likely that repair efforts simply would not keep up, she said.
But Ravid has good news for Hazelton and the many other community members who travel these suburbs on foot. The fencing is a temporary measure only, she said, as is the visual effect of its ‘refugee holding camp’ aesthetic.
As residents wait to see what form of barrier will replace these square fence poles in their round holes, however, the question of inconvenience to pedestrians remains, and it seems that the objections raised in relation to this temporary safety measure may be appeased just as temporarily.
