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Grocott’s Mail Friday, 31 July 2009
Motoring 19
Cradock
Road
Worcester
Street
Somerset
Street
SOLUTION... This plan for
a traffic circle on Somerset
Street, Cradock Road
and Worcester Street is
being met with a mixture
of reactions. Graphic:
Aurecon Engineers
Traffic circle has residents going in circles
Bilal Randeree
The proposed construction of a traffic circle
at the intersection of Cradock Road,
Worcester and Somerset Streets is being
met with mixed responses from residents in
the area. The intersection has become a high
accident zone due to its dangerous and confusing
design. A traffic circle is expected to take
up to four months to complete and involves
an improvement of raised pedestrian crossings
for scholars from the schools nearby. The
intersection will be renovated in stages and,
while portions of it will be closed to traffic, it
will remain operational during construction.
Bill Sanderson of Aurecon Consulting Engineers
who designed the traffic circle, said
that the entire project is set to cost at least
R3.5-million.
Aurecon was initially approached by St Andrew’s
College because the school is increasingly
concerned for the safety of its scholars
following a series of accidents at the intersection.
Sanderson cautioned that sections of
Worcester Street might be closed during the
construction.
Cherié Wille, communications officer at St
Andrew’s College, said that a fatal accident
had taken place on the corner near the St Andrew’s
chapel last year but no scholars have
been injured in any accidents. Wille said that
residents should keep an eye on the press for
details about alternative routes for motorists
to take while construction is taking place.
“The traffic department has been very helpful
and St Andrew’s College greatly appreciates
their concern and interest in the safety of the
pupils and the community”, she added.
Amina Ebrahim, a student living on Worcester
Street, said that she felt the intersection was
not so much of a problem and a few traffic signals
will be a cheaper solution to the problem.
“They have millions to spend on a traffic
circle, but the streets are filthy because the
workers are not being paid enough.
Perhaps this money can be better spent,”
she said. She blamed reckless drivers for the
accidents and was concerned that often drivers
don’t seem to be familiar with the traffic
rules of a traffic circle, especially over who
has right of way. “I hope that the construction
of the traffic circle does not cause more traffic
problems,” she added.
The construction involves a new Worcester
Street link to Cradock Road and the removal
of the traffic island. The current Pear
Lane link to Cradock Road will be closed and
a new road built opposite Durban Street from
Bedford Street. Residents will be able to view
drawings and raise questions with Jeff Roberts,
the director of Aurecon Consulting Engineers,
who will be at the City Hall on Tuesday,
4 August at 5.30pm for an informative public
meeting.
NEW TRAFFIC CIRCLE AT INTERSECTION
OF CRADOCK, WORCESTER AND
SOMERSET STREETS, GRAHAMSTOWN
A new traffic circle will shortly be constructed at the
above intersection. There will also be a
realignment of the Pear Lane link to Cradock Street,
from its present position to opposite Durban Street.
The intersection of Worcester Street and Cradock
Street will also be realigned.
The reason for this new circle and changes to
existing roads is to improve what is considered a
very dangerous and confusing intersection, improve
the safety of pedestrians and scholars who use the
area and improve traffic flow and safety through the
intersection.
Portions of Worcester Street either side of the
intersection may be closed for periods during the
4 month construction period.
There will be an information meeting on
Tuesday 4 August 2009 at 17h30 at the
Grahamstown City Hall where Aurecon
Consulting Engineers will have drawings
available for viewing and will answer any
questions.
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