Traffic still a problem during EcoMobility festival

With reference to the recent EcoMobility exercise in Sandton, I wish to state that I feel it was a futile attempt at alleviating traffic congestion. While I agree that people should be encouraged to make far greater use of public transport, the process of closing off Sandton Central Business District was not thoroughly thought out.

The traffic problem in Sandton does not reside in the CBD but in the roads leading in and out of Sandton. When the CBD gridlocks it is because motorists cannot get out of Sandton, especially onto Rivonia Road. The money spent on this EcoMobility month would have been better spent on ensuring that traffic lights always work and are synchronised. The traffic lights at the Sandton Drive – Rivonia Road intersection as well as Sandton Drive – William Nicol are constantly out of order and create havoc. In addition, the traffic lights along Rivonia Road should be synchronised to allow for the flow of traffic in and out of Sandton.

Instead, lesser roads are being favoured at the expense of the main arteries. An example is the intersections at Protea Road and Central Road both of which lead onto Rivonia Road. The traffic lights at these intersections operate for the same length of time as for Rivonia Road while they carry far less traffic than Rivonia Road. There are similar examples on the northern side of Rivonia Road. Surely at peak hours these lesser roads could be inconvenienced for the sake of getting cars out of the CBD.

It is a pity that our traffic authorities do not put more thought and effort into keeping traffic moving at peak hours. All major cities in the world have traffic officers engaged in [facilitating] traffic [into] and [out of] CBDs at peak hours.

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