School holidays: Visitors urged to be cautious as Western Cape roads remain closed
The Western Cape government has urged visitors to plan their trips carefully during these school holidays as many roads remain closed.
The MEC of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning in the Western Cape, Anton Bredell, has called for visitors to plan their travels carefully these school holidays as several roads remain closed following the floods.
Adverse weather conditions including widespread flooding wreaked havoc in the Western Cape and caused significant damage to property and infrastructure.
WESTERN CAPE ROADS REMAIN CLOSED THESE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
As previously reported by The South African, the extreme weather has caused disaster on infrastructure including roads which led to most roads being closed, so drivers are encouraged to stay alert and plan alternate routes.
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Bredell said they are asking people to consider their plans for traveling very carefully, as several roads are still closed, have only limited lane access, or stop-go arrangements in place as school holidays start,” Bredell said at a briefing on Friday.
Bredell said currently, there is a stop-go arrangement on the N1 in De Doorns, which will be in place for at least three months. The N2 is closed outside Botriver; the R43 is closed in the direction towards Villiersdorp; Hemel and Aarde Road is closed towards Hermanus, and the R321 is closed from Molteno in the direction of Villiersdorp.
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Bredell said Hermanus suffered extensive damages to water supply infrastructure during the floods, and emergency services are currently supplying water with trucks and tankers for the entire community.
“If you are planning to visit, please be considerate to water trucks on the road. Please bring water along for your own needs, and it would be much appreciated if you could also bring a few litres extra for someone in the affected community,” Bredell said.
The City of Cape Town has updated its numbers of communities in need. Bredell said 21 011 people and 6 906 structures have been confirmed as impacted. Assessments are still outstanding for Covid Settlement, LA Burundi, and Strongyard in Mfuleni.
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