Cape Town - V&A Waterfront is accused of prioritising motorists over pedestrians following the removal of a pedestrian crossing on Dock Road linking Battery Park and the Waterfront.
A petition has been filed by pedestrians saying that the Waterfront has taken an undemocratic decision and has gone in a direction that is undermining the pedestrian-friendly environment it is renowned for.
“With the sudden and hasty removal of the crossing with no public input, let alone from the thousands of working-class pedestrians that make use of the pedestrian cross(ing when coming) from their place of work and the CBD, this area has made a big U-turn on what made it so caring, safe and transformational,” said Roland Postma from Young Urbanists South Africa.
Statistics SA revealed that walking is the most common mode of transport used in the country, with about 17.4 million South Africans walking to their various destinations, followed by 10.7 million individuals who made use of taxis and 6.2 million who use cars or trucks as a driver.
“Half of South Africans do not own a car and our own many plans call for our dependency away from private transportation,” said Sindile Mavundla, self-proclaimed bicycle mayor of Cape Town
“This removal doesn't make sense, it is irrational, dangerous and indifferent to our plans as a country.”
Vusi Nondo, V&A Waterfront development executive defended the decision and said as a principle they strive to maintain a pedestrian-friendly environment, while accommodating the often high number of vehicles that traverse the property.
“The decision to remove the pedestrian crossing was made to achieve a more optimal balance between efficient pedestrian and vehicle movement at a very busy junction on the property,” he said.
“Pedestrians have two options to cross Dock Road, which are both near the former crossing. Firstly, at the signalised intersection, where a pedestrian push button is available to activate the pedestrian phase and enables pedestrians to cross. Secondly, pedestrians can use the underpass located a few metres away in the opposite direction, which passes beneath Dock Road, to cross the road. We believe this is a balanced decision that takes into consideration the various factors at play, and will not compromise the quality of the experience of visitors coming to the V&A, whether they be pedestrians or motorists.”