Statement by the Office of Western Cape Premier, Marthinus van Schalkwyk, on 8 March 2004

"The concerns of road users and the communities through which these roads pass will be given the highest possible consideration by the Western Cape Government when we are asked to formally comment on the toll road proposals." These were the words of Western Cape Premier, Marthinus van Schalkwyk, formally accepting a petition against the proposed N1/N2 Winelands toll highway project, from the Chairperson of the Elgin, Grabouw, Vyeboom & Villiersdorp Agricultural Association, Mr Hennie Lotter.

The Premier and the Western Cape Minister for Transport, Public Works and Property Management, Tasneem Essop, received the petition containing about 15000 signatures at the Office of the Premier on Monday morning. In terms of the national legislation which guides this process, the SA National Roads Agency is required to ask both the Premier and the local authority through which the roads pass for their comments before any final decision to toll is taken - this request has not yet been made.

"Although it would be inappropriate for us to speak out either for or against the specific proposals until we are formally requested to do so, there are a number of basic principles that guide our approach to toll roads," said Premier van Schalkwyk. "These include the absolute necessity to ensure that alternative routes are available and that the toll rates do not cause significant damage to the livelihoods of local communities and the sustainability of local business activities."

The Premier added: "In addition to this petition we have also received numerous reports and studies - especially by agricultural economists and the deciduous fruit industry - which seem to indicate that the proposed toll road may have a seriously negative effect on this sector if the rates are set at a relatively high level. We will also take careful note of the possible effect of such tolls on market access and transport costs - both for our business community and the men and women of these areas who make use of public transport to get to work."

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