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Background Document 1  
 Page 2
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

Phase 1

No alternative was considered for Phase 1 as it runs in the existing proclaimed and expropriated existing Trunk Road reserve.

Phase 2

The alignment of the road from the N1 to Melkbosstrand has been located in the most feasible position to suit the purpose of a Ring Road, accommodate the largest number of vehicles, and take into account the inputs from various stakeholders. Two other alternatives to the north were investigated which were:

South of the proposed route. This line would bisect the Tableview residential developments, which are extending rapidly north. This option would result in large-scale expropriations and high engineering costs to accommodate the mountain. Finally, this option would encroach on the proposed Blaauwberg Conservation Area.

The route to Atlantis was evaluated as the road authorities originally proposed it as a route many years ago. Two factors ruled it out, firstly that there is insufficient traffic from Atlantis and the northern areas to warrant the road and secondly that it was a much longer route hence increasing the cost of construction dramatically. It was considered that the West Coast and Malmesbury Roads could be readily upgraded to Freeway status if and when necessary in future providing adequate access from Atlantis to the Ring Road.

Phase 3

The alignment south of the existing R300 / Vanguard Drive intersection utilizes the Coastal Freeway designed approximately twenty years ago. Numerous properties have been purchased for the original road. Two alternatives were considered. These are:

  • Diverting the section of freeway through the sewer ponds south to skirt the southern perimeter of the ponds. The two problems associated with this option would be the destruction of conservation worthy flora to the south and the cost associated with the length of the road.
  • Replacing the route location with the R300 extension through the Philippi Farmlands. Three aspects arose which did not favor this as a toll road. These were
  • The construction cost would be almost 40% higher than the currently proposed route making it uneconomical as a toll facility.
  • The freeway would traverse down the densely populated Prince George Drive area and would separate existing communities. The freeway could ultimately be enlarged to six lanes, which would not be compatible with a residential environment.
  • The populations of Grassy Park, Retreat and Lavender Hill would likely resist the "tolling" of what are basically local arterial roads serving their communities
It is however beneficial to the local communities that the Philippi/R300 link be constructed the authorities as it would serve a very large, densely populated residential area. It would also provide an alternate route for the southern Ring Road extension to Westlake. 		ISSUES UNDER INVESTIGATION

The biophysical assessment of this study will focus on

  • Geology and Soils
  • Topography
  • Climate
  • Flora & Fauna
  • The possibility of crossing Renosterveld or endemic Strandveld remnants
  • Identification of core botanical sites
  • Passing through proclaimed nature reserves
  • Ornithological disturbance with the road crossing the Rondevlei and Sandvlei areas
  • Freshwater Systems
  • Impacts on the rivers and vleis
The social aspects under investigation include
  • Identification of communities positively and negatively affected by the proposed road (by looking at the social profile of the affected communities).
  • Safety and security issues
  • Compatibility with surrounding land-uses (including the structure plans of the area).
  • Economic Aspects - access to business areas, property values, toll fees etc.
  • Traffic
THE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCESS

The proposed Project has been developed by an Engineering Consortium led by Kayad Consulting Engineers, during the period since 1995 as described above. A total of approximately 120 meetings have been held with Central Government, Provincial Government, Local Government, Municipalities, Authorities and Private Individuals during this time. All known authorities, which may have an involvement in the Project, have been consulted on at least one occasion. As many as possible of the owners of property located along or adjacent to the road have been consulted in order to ascertain the best location for the new sections of road.

All of the above information has been used to arrive at the format and routing of the proposed Project, which forms the starting point for this EIA process.

As part of this environmental exercise, a public participation process is being undertaken. This includes the following:

  • Identifying Interested and Affected Parties (I&APs) and maintaining a database through the process
  • Notification of the Scoping study in local media and recording responses.
  • Compilation and distribution of a Background Information Document to approximately 60 key I&APs in each area or phase of the project and recording responses.
  • One-on-one information sharing meetings with key groups (8 meetings), and recording minutes.
  • Open Houses.
  • Telephonic interaction with I&APs
  • Compilation of a Draft Scoping document
  • Review by the public and authorities
  • Final Scoping Report
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