Update
MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The Department of Transport and Public Works says it is aware of the issue regarding the access to the Mossel Bay Magistrate’s Court on Louis Fourie Road.
Efforts to close the unapproved access to the court from Trunk Road 33/1 (R102, Louis Fourie Rd) have been ongoing.
The Mossel Bay Advertiser sent the department an enquiry, following a petition that was started by Mossel Bay residents in a bid to change the entrance to the court.
The petition follows the death of 18-year-old Point High School learner, Nicci da Silva, in a road accident near the court entrance. Residents say there are no sign boards to indicate to motorists that there is a turn-off from Louis Fourie Road towards the court parking area.
Da Silva was riding her motorcycle on Louis Fourie Road early on Wednesday, 4 May, when she crashed into her 16-year-old brother’s motorcycle in front of her.
It is alleged that her brother reduced speed after a vehicle that was driving in front of him braked in order to turn into entrance to the Mossel Bay Magistrate's Court.
Da Silva was transported to a nearby hospital with multiple injuries and she died later in the afternoon.
Response
Head of communication, Department of Transport and Public Works, Jandré Bakker, says the stark reality is that the court is operational and acceptable alternative access must first be made available before the closing of the unapproved access can be implemented through a communication plan.
"Driven by court management, this involves erection of road direction signage for the alternative access and then physical removal of the unapproved access," says Bakker. The court infrastructure was provided by the Department of Public Works (National) with the Department of Justice being the tenant.
Bakker says the access currently used is an unofficial access to the cemetery, registered in the Mossel Bay Municipality’s name, and although an alternative access road has been provided up to a point from where a servitude access road to the court must be built, that road does not currently exist and all court staff and visitors have to drive along a cemetery road, which is, for a section, just a 3,2m brick-paved road with a gravel "shoulder", not considered suitable for two-way traffic.
Questions asked
- Had there been any discussion about the turn-off before? Why has nothing been done about it yet?
Yes, the access off the R102 will be closed once suitable alternative access is provided. There has been interaction with the land owner of the court premises to implement a missing part of the alternative access road.
- Would you agree the turn-off is problematic?
Any unapproved access is considered problematic.
- Why haven't signs been put up about the turn-off?
The existing access cannot be legalised and signage for the alternative route can only be displayed once the alternative route is in place.
- Are you planning to do something about the turn-off ?
This issue has a long history and many different role players, who are working towards resolving the issue. There has been interaction with the land owner of the court premises to implement a missing part of the alternative access road.
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