Cape Town - Boxing Day and New Year’s Day have been flagged by the City of Cape Town as priority days for its festive season plans, and a pilot traffic management project will be used during this time to relieve congestion along the Atlantic Seaboard.
Mayor Patricia de Lille said the city’s Transport for Cape Town would manage the influx of private vehicles along Somerset Road, Helen Suzman Boulevard and Victoria Road on these days.
“This plan will see a dedicated team of 20 traffic officers deployed along this route to manage traffic flow on the two major beach days,” De Lille said on Wednesday at the launch of the city’s 2014/2015 festive season readiness plan.
De Lille said people would be encouraged to use public transport to ease traffic congestion. The MyCiTi Century City and Waterfront routes will extend their operating hours over the festive season.
“As a well-run city committed to ensuring the safety of our residents and visitors, we have prepared a multifaceted plan that will be instituted by a festive season co-ordinating committee.”
Its services include:
* 1 430 metro police, law enforcement and traffic officers involved in road and beach operations.
* 900 firefighters; with 240 on shift at any given time.
* An additional 120 seasonal firefighters.
* 250 lifeguards with an average of 70 on the city’s beaches on each day.
* 1 864 temporary staff members to enhance the city’s cleansing services capacity.
De Lille said the city would also bolster cleaning services in business areas, scenic routes and beaches throughout the metro with more than 1 800 extra staff from the Expanded Public Works Programme. City Health will monitor drinking and recreational water, accommodation and entertainment premises and public ablution facilities.
“I believe our festive season readiness plan will promote a safe, clean and enjoyable experience for all visitors and residents in Cape Town during the festive season.”
De Lille said there was a “shared responsibility” to ensure safety.
“Let us also do all we can to avoid any preventable accidents and disasters simply by being responsible citizens and respecting everyone’s right to live in a safe, clean city.”
Important numbers for the festive season:
* 107 from a landline or 021 488 7700 from a cellphone for all emergencies.
* Street People call centre - 0800 827 201.
* The 24/7 alcohol and drug helpline - 0800 435 748.
* To donate R10 to organisations that help street people, as part of the Give Responsibly campaign, SMS “Give” to 38802.
Cape Argus