December 03, 2008 Edition 1

Matthew Savides

THE eThekwini Municipality has lashed out at the South African National Roads Agency’s proposal to install new toll gates and ramp plazas in the metro, saying it will cripple residents and businesses, particularly those in the south.

One report estimates that residents and workers will lose between R96 million and R102 million in disposable income. Infrastructure on alternative routes – likely to be used as motorists avoid paying tolls – will be significantly strained and damaged.

And increased traffic congestion, accidents, pollution and noise levels will decrease property values and reduce residents’ quality of life.

This is according to a report tabled before the municipality’s executive committee yesterday.

It recommends: “In view of the serious economic impacts of tolling on the region and the subsequent knock-on effect on the poor, the eThekwini Municipality reaffirms its earlier decision on October 31 2002 not to support toll booths within the municipal boundaries.”

This stance was praised by opposition parties, and the recommendations are likely to be carried when the report is tabled before the full council on December 10.

The report deals in depth with the implications of the new plazas at Isipingo and Park Rynie as part of the N2 Wild Coast toll road proposal.

Apart from these two plazas – and the existing Oribi Plaza – motorists joining or leaving the N2 will have to contend with seven new ramp plazas at Joyner Road, Moss Kolnick Road, Adams Road, Umkomaas, Pennington, Park Rynie and Scottburgh.

If the project goes ahead, South Coast motorists will face daily toll fees of R16 for their journey to central Durban and back.

Another ramp plaza is planned at the under-construction interchange at the King Shaka International Airport, which means that a fee would have to be paid when joining the N2 to Durban.

If this goes ahead, the airport will be the only one in the country that has its main exit tolled.

Communities and business have reacted angrily to the proposal, with municipal manager Michael Sutcliffe going on the offensive – appearing on national radio – to push the city’s stance.

According to the report, which was unanimously approved by the committee, businesses will be hampered as a result of the new tolls.

Toll fees alone are expected to cost businesses between R140 000 and R165 000 daily, assuming 30% of traffic along the N2 was business-related.

Alternative-route road quality is also likely to decrease, in turn increasing vehicle running costs to about R149 million in 2010.

Expected delays because of traffic congestion will also decrease productivity and increase operating costs.

The report also states that households will have to shift their spending away from other areas to pay for toll fees, further affecting businesses.

Damage to road infrastructure on alternative routes, particularly the R102, is expected to increase by about R1.2 million in 2010. This could increase by a further R2 million by 2020.

A potential increase in accidents on the secondary routes could amount to between R360 million and R720 million in costs between 2010 and 2020.

Property values along these route may also decrease, and many are likely to be rezoned for commercial purposes.

Tourism in many of the smaller South Coast towns could also be affected.

“An increase in the direct cost of travelling along the N2 and an increase in traffic congestion on the R102 will impede access to coastal towns on the South Coast with a dominant tourism industry – such as Scottburgh, Pennington, Hibberdene, Port Shepstone and Margate, among others – (and) will reduce their relative competitiveness and development potential,” the report says.

Many of these concerns are echoed regarding the proposed ramp plaza at the La Mercy interchange leading from the King Shaka International Airport to Durban.

Not only could traffic impacts on the R102 be “substantial”, the Dube Trade Port operations and logistics are likely to be adversely affected, impeding businesses in the region.

Concerns around the transport of fuel to the airport are also raised.

“The fuel is going to be transported by road and the probability of diversions via the R102 will no doubt create serious implications in terms of traffic congestion and safety,” the report argues.

Posted on December 3rd, 2008
Filed under: Newspaper and Media