CURRENT PROJECTS AND PUBLIC DOCUMENTS

THE PROPOSED INTEGRATED RAPID TRANSPORT (IRT) SYSTEM ALONG OTTERY ROAD FROM STRANDFONTEIN ROAD TO KROMBOOM PARKWAY (M5)

THE PROPOSED INTEGRATED RAPID TRANSPORT (IRT) SYSTEM ALONG OTTERY ROAD FROM STRANDFONTEIN ROAD TO KROMBOOM PARKWAY (M5)

The Information Sheet is a summary of the Basic Assessment Report and is available at the hyperlink.

INTRODUCTION

The City of Cape Town, the proponent, wishes to implement the Integrated Rapid Transit (IRT) system across Cape Town in several phases. This public transport system aims to provide safe, reliable, accessible, and affordable transport in Cape Town. The ‘MyCiTi’ Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) forms part of the IRT system.

The proposal for which this Basic Assessment environmental process is being conducted entails the establishment of the IRT System along Ottery Road between Strandfontein Road and Kromboom Parkway (M5). The roadway will be widened by approximately two metres on either side of the existing road to make provision for Non-Motorised Transport (NMT) lanes.

PROJECT PROPOSAL

The proposed route along Ottery Road necessitates the existing roadway be widened to make spatial provision for additional lanes. This spatial provision would be for the BRT lanes, NMT lanes and bus stations. The IRT system requiring road widening to a maximum of two metres on either side of the existing road for approximately 3.6 km between Strandfontein Road and Kromboom Parkway (M5). The intention is to minimise the extent of the widening where it would be in proximity to residential dwellings. As such, the widening along Ottery Road has been informed by the extent to which the widening would impact on adjacent properties and the minimisation of these impacts.

Ottery Road has been screened for any potential environmental sensitivities that would likely be impacted upon by the proposal. Spatial provision for the IRT system along Ottery Road would result in a wetland being partially infilled. Where encroachment on adjacent properties will occur, landowners will be contacted by the applicant, the City of Cape Town.

It is proposed that an additional two-lanes (3.5 m wide lanes) be added to the existing road. Sidewalks of approximately three metres wide will be retained where possible and new sidewalks will be constructed where required. There are no proposed changes for general traffic. No widening would be required for the bridge section. A pedestrian walkway is proposed southeast of Plantation Road.

The proposed road edge will be adjacent to the fence of the Youngsfield Site from the M5 but will encroach into the Youngsfield Military base fencing as the roadworks approach Torrens Road.

A public transport station, six metres wide, with passing bus lanes is proposed at the bridge approach. To accommodate an IRT station, Ottery Road will be widened in the northern and southern sections as the road lanes approach the station. Further widenings will occur, on the northern section of Ottery Road, between Plantation Road and Greyland Road. Some encroachment of properties will occur including the car repair workshop adjacent to Crescent Road. Humby Road, south of Ottery Road, will become Left-In-Left-Out access as opposed to full access which it is currently.

Only one-lane is proposed to the east of De Wet Road. Sidewalks are proposed for both the eastbound and westbound carriageway and will be retained where possible. Sidewalks will be reduced locally to prevent encroachment of properties. The existing road, east of De Wet Road, will change from a two-lane to a four-lane road. As a result, Ottery Road will be widened by 12 metres to the north between De Wet Road and Link Road. Eddy Road and Tulip Close will change from full access to Left-In-Left-Out access.

ALTERNATIVES

The EIA Regulations require that reasonable alternatives to the activity be identified and assessed. In this Basic Assessment Report. Two layout alternatives are included that relate to the Humby and Ottery road Intersection. This is in addition to the No-Go (Do Nothing) Alternative 3.

Alternative 1:

In Alternative 1, the Humby Road right-turn option onto Ottery Road in an eastward direction will be closed. The intersection will become a left in-left out intersection.

Alternative 2:

In Alternative 2, the Humby Road right-turn option onto Ottery Road in an eastward direction will be kept open. The intersection will be signalised and increased widening north of Ottery Road will be required.

LEGISLATION

The 2014 NEMA Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations of 2014, as amended, apply to the proposed development and necessitate a Basic Assessment Process. The proposed development includes activities listed in GN983 of the 2014 EIA Regulations, as amended. These are:

Listing Notice 1 (GN983 of 2014, as amended)

Activity 19

The infilling or depositing of any material of more than 10 cubic metres into, or the dredging, excavation, removal, or moving of soil, sand, shells, shell grit, pebbles, or rock of more than 10 cubic metres from a watercourse.

IMPACTS IDENTIFIED

DESIGN AND PLANNING

Biophysical impacts

Loss of temporary and seasonal wetland edges of Bamboesvlei and associated loss of buffer areas adjacent to the core wetlands
Loss of temporary and seasonal wetlands on Erf 1028
Loss of a section of the artificial stormwater channel on Erf 1028
Loss of indigenous vegetation along the route

Socio-economic impacts

Potential encroachment on private property adjacent to the road widening
Reduced traffic congestion with associated decreases in travel time

CONSTRUCTION PHASE

Biophysical impacts

Degradation of wetlands as a result of physical disturbance
Pollution of wetlands as a result accidental hitting of the sewage line adjacent to the existing road edge
Faunal mortalities
Disturbance of intact natural vegetation

Socio-economic impacts (temporary impacts)

Noise impacts
Dust impacts
Vibration impacts
Visual Impact
Waste Management Impacts
Traffic during the construction phase
Job Creation

OPERATIONAL PHASE

Socio-economic impacts

Introduction of a public transport system that will reduce the usage of private vehicles
Introduction of an efficient and safe public transport system
Reduced traffic congestion

FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Based on the findings of the above-summarised impact assessment, Layout Alternative 1 has been identified as the preferred alternative. The impacts of Alternative 2 do not differ significantly from Alternative 1. However, Alternative 1 has a greater positive socio-economic impact as it will require less encroachment of the widened road on private property adjacent to the Humby Road/ Ottery Road intersection. The proposed activity is anticipated to make a positive contribution towards the socio-economic development in Ottery.

While negative impacts have been identified in this Basic Assessment Report, they can be mitigated provided that the specific mitigation measures are applied effectively as stipulated in the Environmental Management Programme. Authorisation for the proposed Integrated Rapid Transport system along Ottery Road between Kromboom Parkway and Strandfontein Road is thus recommended by the Environmental Assessment Practitioner in terms of the EIA Regulations of 2014, as amended, promulgated under NEMA (107 of 1998). Layout Alternative 1 has been identified as the preferred alternative on the condition that all mitigation measures are adhered to by the applicant.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Public participation is a key component of the environmental assessment process as it introduces the proposed activity to the public and provides an opportunity for comments and concerns to be raised. Public participation was undertaken in terms of Section 41 of 2014, NEMA: EIA Regulations, as amended. Below is an outline of what was undertaken:

The Basic Assessment Report is being made available to the broader public, identified Interested and Affected Parties (I&APs) and relevant Organs of State for their perusal and comment from
17 November to 08 January 2021 by the following means:

The draft BAR will be distributed to the relevant Organs of State via email (A WeTransfer link as utilised for larger files)

The information sheet (summary of the draft BAR) will be distributed to identified I&APs via email
The Information Sheet will be delivered to the following parties:

Occupiers directly adjacent to the site where the listed activity will occur
A register will be kept of the distribution of the information sheet to Interested and Affected Parties

An electronic copy of the draft BAR was placed on The Environmental Partnership’s website (www.enviropart.co.za)
A media notice was published in the local newspaper, the People’s Post (Grassy Park) on 10 November 2020
Site notices will be placed in conspicuous locations around the site

To ensure that reasonable opportunity was provided for public participation during the COVID-19 pandemic the following methods were utilised to give notice to potential I&APs:

An opportunity to comment via WhatsApp Messaging Service was availed as an additional method of communication.

WAY FORWARD

This Basic Assessment Report is being made available for a 30-day commenting period to the registered I&APs and relevant Organs of State for their perusal and comment from
17 November 2020 to 08 January 2021. At the end of the commenting period, all comments will be captured and addressed and included in a Final Basic Assessment Report which will be submitted to the competent authority, the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning for the environmental decision.

Comments on this report may be submitted on or before 08 January 2021 to:

The Environmental Partnership

P O Box 945, Cape Town, 8000

Tel: 021 422 0999; Fax: 021 422 0998

WhatsApp number: 060 761 5729

Email: comments@enviropart.co.za