The recent approval by the National Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism of the Environmental Impact Report for the proposed Winelands Toll Road developments on the N1 and N2 is therefore by no means a signal that these developments will definitely proceed - it is simply an assessment of the likely impact on the areas concerned.
In terms of the law, the decision to charge a toll on a national road rests with the National Minister of Transport. Before any such decision can be made though, the SA National Roads Agency must request, in writing, the Premier in whose province the toll road will be created, to comment on the proposal and any other matters with regard to the toll road. The Minister must then be satisfied that the Roads Agency has addressed any concerns raised before any decision to declare a new toll road can take place.
With regard to the N1 and N2 proposals, I have not yet received any such request by the National Roads Agency - and it is therefore premature for any party to suggest that a decision has been taken in this matter - especially with the number of serious outstanding concerns expressed by our communities about these proposals.
There can be little argument about the need to seriously address the upgrading and proper maintenance of our road network in the Western Cape over the next five and ten years. Our roads are the arteries of our economy - carrying the life-blood of trade, commerce and tourism to all parts of the province. It has been projected that the growth in traffic volumes on the N1 and N2 alone could be as high as 3-4% per year - which would mean that the number of vehicles using these roads may double in the next twenty years. A road system with sufficient capacity and of the highest standards is essential for the future growth and development of the Western Cape, and is a priority for our Provincial Government.
We are not opposed in principle to the use of tolls to assist in raising the funds necessary for ensuring these standards and future growth - especially in conjunction with other possible sources of funding like a provincial fuel levy (which is currently the subject of a provincial feasibility study), and the refocusing of the more than R26 billion already collected each year in national road-related taxes. What we cannot allow though, is for tolls and toll roads to damage our communities or to make a negative lasting impact on the regions through which they pass. In this regard there are a number of pressing concerns which will be serious considerations to be taken into account once the National Road Agency requests my comments on these proposals, amongst these are:
Access to markets for small/emerging farmers: Our farming communities, especially in the fruit industry, in areas like Worcester, Grabouw and Villiersdorp are already struggling against issues like the strength of the Rand and the soon-to-be-implemented extension of property rates to farms. Added costs in the form of tolls could well break the backs of many small and emerging farmers in the communities through which the toll roads will pass.
Higher Public Transport costs: The negative impact will also be felt by our most vulnerable communities - especially in lower income groups - who use public transport like taxis and buses to travel to work or to obtain groceries or medical treatment . Our unemployed, pensioners and disabled communities in these areas will be hard-hit unless arrangements like significant toll-reductions are made for taxis and other public transport vehicles.
Reduced intra-regional tourism: Day visitors from Cape Town to towns like Hermanus, Tulbagh, Robertson and Swellendam will be less inclined to make weekend trips or holiday visits to these areas if toll fees add significantly to their travel costs - with a serious potential impact on these local economies.
Added Costs to Province: If the three proposed toll plazas are placed on each of the routes it will be critical to ensure that there are alternative routes provided. This is likely to result in increases of traffic on these alternative routes - provincial and regional roads - of up to 21%. This will naturally imply much higher maintenance costs to the province and local councils - conservatively estimated in the Environmental Impact Report to be up to R52 million.
Enquiries: Riaan Aucamp Cell: 083 778 9923
