“Traffic congestion on the R43 leading into and out of Hermanus, from both the Hawston side as well as the Stanford side, must first be addressed before consideration is given to a possible road being built to allow through traffic to by-pass the town.”
This was the statement by executive Mayor of the Overstrand, Dudley Coetzee. In a press statement he said he wished to clarify the Overstrand Municipality’s stance on the proposed Hermanus bypass.
The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the proposed Hermanus Bypass was published recently and is open for public input (Bypass study is open for comment, Hermanus Times, 25 June 2020).
The original EIA was referred back to the environmental consultants to rework certain sections of the document. “This has again given rise to much speculation around the development of a By-Pass Road,” said Coetzee.
“We are aware that the road between Stanford and Hermanus is currently being rebuilt. However, there is still a great deal of work required on the R43 entering Hermanus from Hawston to relieve the traffic congestion on that side of town.
“Only once this work is also completed should consideration be given to the possible need for a by-pass road, and the most suitable route that such a road should follow.”
The provincial government has since, however, revised its plans for the R43 entrance to Hermanus at Hawston.
According to Jandré Bakker, head of communications for the Provincial Department of Transport and Public Works, this project is on hold. “To fund the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, government has of necessity had to reallocate and cut budgets. All non-committed projects’ implementation have been put on hold until a full re-planning can be completed.
“There are no committed implementation plans for the R43 from Hawston to Hermanus at this stage.”
Comments on the revised Hermanus Bypass EIA can be submitted by email to Kelly Armstrong of SRK Consulting at karmstrong@srk.co.za, by 20 July. After the comment period, the Amended Final EIA Report will be submitted to DEA&DP. The final decision will be communicated to all IAPs.
Comments on the revised Hermanus Bypass EIA can be submitted by email to Kelly Armstrong of SRK Consulting at karmstrong@srk.co.za, by 20 July. After the comment period, the Amended Final EIA Report will be submitted to DEA&DP. The final decision will be communicated to all IAPs.
