Cape Town - Entry to the Camps Bay area will be limited for private vehicles on the Day of Goodwill (Boxing Day) and New Year’s Day, as Cape Town attempts to manage the holiday traffic influx along the Atlantic Seaboard.
Long queues are expected to back up at the three main entry points to the festive season hot spots around Camps Bay beach on December 26 and January 1.
Transport for Cape Town officers will be limiting entry for private cars, with preferential access going to MyCiTi buses, minibus taxis, coaches and chartered public transport services.
Mayoral committee member for transport Brett Herron advised anyone driving to Camps Bay, Clifton, Bantry Bay and Sea Point to park far from the area.
“Visitors are strongly advised to park their private vehicles in the city central business district or Foreshore area, and to use the MyCiTi bus service or any other public transport service to reach the beaches along the Atlantic Seaboard on these two days.”
From 9.30am to 7pm there will be only single-lane access from the three big entry points: in Green Point along Somerset Road, Helen Suzman Boulevard and Beach Road; in Camps Bay at the corner of Victoria and Houghton roads; and at the top of Kloof Nek Road.
The explanation given was that while queues would probably pile up at the entry points, traffic within the area would move freely along Victoria Road in Camps Bay and Clifton, and Beach Road in Sea Point.
“We urge beachgoers to please work with us so that we can create a pleasant environment for road users and fun seekers alike,” Herron said. “Those who have visited the Atlantic Seaboard on these days in prior years will know that parking is very limited and that it can easily take two to three hours to travel between Sea Point and Camps Bay by car. If we all leave our private vehicles behind and opt for public transport or, where possible, walk or cycle, it will be much easier to move around.”
Additional MyCiTi buses and beefed-up schedules would be operating along the route. Tourists and residents who don’t want to invest in a myconnect card can buy a R30 single-trip ticket from the kiosks at MyCiTi stations.
“The single-trip cards will make it more convenient and easy for those who are unaccustomed to the MyCiTi service and we urge residents to give the MyCiTi service a try,” Herron said.
Cape Argus