Residents and business owners in the Lower Dorp Street Business and Residential area of Stellenbosch are expressing concern and frustration over the proposed dualling of a part of Dorp Street. The section in question runs between the R44 and the R310 and includes barriers in the middle of the road that would prevent access to Weidenhof and Stadler Streets from the R44.
According to locals, the municipality did not consult with them regarding the plans, which they fear will jeopardize the historic character of the area and cause more problems.
Municipal spokesperson, Stuart Grobbelaar, has stated that the road widening is part of the municipality’s transport strategy to alleviate traffic congestion in the Central Business District. “The project aims to accommodate for existing traffic as well as traffic from new and proposed developments in the area along the Adam Tas Corridor.” Grobbelaar claims that the dualling will result in improved mobility for the travelling public and benefit local businesses by increasing accessibility.
According to Grobbelaar the first consultation sessions with interested and affected parties for this project was carried out in 2016. The project formed part of the Roads Master Plan 2022 that was out for public participation and approved by Council in November 2022.
However, members of the Stellenbosch Ratepayers Association and other affected parties argue that the municipality did not adequately consult with them before making plans for the dualling of Dorp Street.
Simon Wilson of the Stellenbosch Ratepayers Association says that public participation had only been invited on the road plans in the last month. “The initial inspection of the proposed plans shared, do not change the situation for the existing traffic problem. If the plans are co-operational with future developments, it has yet to be seen as they have only been tabled for comment this month.”
Concerns have been raised over the potential impact of the proposed road development on the historic character of the area. Opponents of the project argue that the dualling of Dorp Street cannot be viewed in isolation and must be considered alongside other proposed developments, such as the Adam Tas Corridor and the proposed Technopark Link road. They suggest that these developments may negate the need for dualling and could be implemented without affecting the historic centre of the town.
Critics of the road development plans have suggested alternative multi-modal transport alternatives, such as pedestrianisation and improved inner-city transport infrastructure. They argue that these alternatives would better facilitate existing problems and plan for future expansion and development, without sacrificing the cultural and historic significance of the area.
The municipality has stated that construction will commence in early 2024, pending completion of the development rights, designs and consultations. It remains to be seen how the situation will develop and whether an acceptable compromise can be reached between the interests of the travelling public, local businesses, and the cultural heritage of the area.
