Traffic chaos during cycle competition

090514. AMSTERDAM. BICYCLE PARK IN AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS. PICTURE HENK KRUGER/CAPE ARGUS

090514. AMSTERDAM. BICYCLE PARK IN AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS. PICTURE HENK KRUGER/CAPE ARGUS

Published Nov 12, 2012

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KwaZulu-Natal - Durban’s metro police have been accused by motorists of not appointing enough traffic marshals or setting up signs marking alternative routes for Sunday’s Engen Dynamic Cycle Challenge.

Merebank resident and motorist Kishore Ravishanker said there was chaos on the roads linked to the route as drivers coming in from the south tried to reach the city by way of the northbound freeway.

Metro officers had “failed to give direction to motorists at most entrances and on-ramps”, he said. “Motorists entering the northbound freeway from Solomon Mahlangu (Edwin Swales VC) Drive learnt the freeway was closed only after getting on the on-ramp. Beacons created chaos for the mid-morning traffic.”

Ravishanker noted that the Clairwood Racecourse on-ramp had been closed off with blue beacons.

“Metro officers stood by watching the confusion. No one gave any verbal indication as to alternative routes to gain access to the city. I can only imagine the stress for first-time visitors of these areas,” Ravishanker said.

Occupants of taxis travelling from Umlazi to Durban were not amused.

The 100km race began at the Moses Mabhida Stadium and the route included the M4, M17, the M7 and parts of the Bluff and Prospecton.

Metro police spokesman Eugene Msomi said the race had covered “a lot” of the Durban area. Signs and marshals had been placed at areas that were “busy”. “We did not place them at areas where they would not be needed, but the public can write to us so we can improve in the future,” he said. - The Mercury

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