A total of 300 additional parking bays are needed in the Stellenbosch town centre to address the current shortage and help alleviate traffic congestion.
In a bid to find solutions, Stellenbosch Municipality has partnered with Stellenbosch University (SU) and other stakeholders to consider suitable interventions to manage the problem.
A public-private partnership proposal to expand the existing Eikestad Mall parking area to provide additional parking is currently under investigation.
The Project Feasibility Study Report was presented and adopted by the Stellenbosch Council in August (“Parkeerplek só bekyk”, Eikestadnuus, 29 August). The proposed parking facility was not approved, but the report was merely adopted – a necessary step for it to be submitted to National Treasury as per the Municipal Finance Management Act. This step is essential to proceed to the next phase, which involves issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP).
Municipal manager Geraldine Mettler said residents and stakeholders will have more opportunities to participate in the process. “It is important to note that another extensive public-participation process will be followed before any approval is granted for the proposed project,” she explained.
“A report on possible park-and-ride facilities will also be included in a report that will be sent back to Council.”
A Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA) has already been conducted, and the upcoming RFP will include a new, updated and more detailed TIA to ensure all considerations are thoroughly addressed.
Furthermore, an environmental impact assessment has also been completed, revealing no environmental triggers, while the municipality has also informed Heritage Western Cape about the potential development. Final heritage approval will be sought should the project proceed to the design stage.
Other initiatives such as the promotion of non-motorised transport (NMT) including cycling, the expansion of the NMT network and the undertaking of preparatory works towards the pedestrianisation of streets in the historical core are currently underway.
Dr Leslie van Rooi, senior director of social impact and transformation at SU, said the university will work with the municipality on ways to improve student movement in and access to the CBD.
“Although SU has two park-and-ride facilities from Coetzenburg and Lentelus Sports Ground we find that staff and students would rather drive around campus looking for parking, and many often park illegally,” he pointed out.
Roelof Loubser, SU’s mobility manager, added: “We need park-and-ride facilities on the outskirts of town that everyone in Stellenbosch can use, not just [those affiliated to] SU.”
The municipality intends to provide alternatives to on-street parking, with the belief that freeing up parking spaces in town centre will improve access for pedestrians and cyclists.
The freed-up spaces will apparently be used for landscaping, widening sidewalks and improving facilities for cyclists.
It is expected that certain streets, designated as preferred routes to and from town centre, would ultimately have slightly increased volumes, while others will have decreased traffic volumes.
Mitigating measures will comprise improving traffic flow to and from town centre at the same time, ensuring the safety and efficiencies of all transport modes.
A feasibility study commissioned by the municipality shows an 85% increase in demand for parking on weekdays since 2021 and last year, the usable capacity of parking in town was exceeded. This dearth in parking results in large volumes of cars moving around the CBD in search of bays, with many resorting to parking illegally.
Congestion intensifies in the morning and afternoon peak periods.
The Project Feasibility Study was shaped by extensive stakeholder consultations, with further public participation processes planned as the project progresses.
This will ensure ongoing transparency and community engagement as the project moves forward.
However, Loubser contended there is ample parking in town and on campus. Most of these bays are on the peripheral areas. “Every year we do a parking audit of all our parking areas, and we have a large number of bays standing empty on our campus,” he said.
Congestion is being addressed through the municipality’s overall transport strategy, which includes the promotion of NMT and public transport, developing parking areas and park-and-ride facilities on the outskirts of the urban area and implementing “Woon-Erf” concepts that promote NMT and public transport.
The municipality is also in discussion with SU regarding its parking policy and the impact current parking arrangements has on the town.
With studies showing there are open parking bays on campus during peak periods, Loubser said more must be done to encourage the use of these bays. SU can also urge more students to form lift clubs or use bicycles for shorter distances.
“Both SU and the municipality need to address safety concerns that may make residents and visitors reluctant to walk short distances or cycle around town instead of driving,” he concluded.
