Update on City's dispute with SANRAL regarding proposed toll roads
The City of Cape Town is engaging in the Formal Inter-governmental Dispute Resolution Process in good faith and feels confident that it will be able to resolve this issue with SANRAL amicably and in the best interest of road users and residents. The City feels obliged to respond to SANRAL's statements purely to clear up factual inaccuracies.
SANRAL's claims that the City of Cape Town did not timeously engage with the Minister regarding his decision to convert the N1 and N2 (between the city and the Cape Winelands) into toll-roads, are inaccurate.
The City's Mayoral Committee member for Transport, Roads and Stormwater, Councillor Brett Herron, responds as follows: "The City wrote to SANRAL during the Intent to Toll process requesting that its concerns be addressed and stating that if this was not done, the City would consider legal action.
SANRAL responded stating that ‘legal action against SANRAL is not in the interest of the public or the country, which both institutions are trying to serve.' The letter went on to state that SANRAL is committed to continuing to consult with the City and they undertake to resolve any outstanding issues amicably.
SANRAL's claims that the City of Cape Town was extensively engaged in the Environmental Impact Assessment process and that the City did not appeal the decision when they were entitled to, are also untrue.
The first decision in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process was made on 30 September 2003. The City was dissatisfied with the decision and did appeal. The appeal process was finalised in 2008 but the City's appeal was unsuccessful. However, the City was informed that, as per the agreement entered into between SANRAL and the Department of Environmental Affairs, the socio-economic impacts of tolling (which are the City's primary concern) would be considered during the Intent to Toll process.
There was also an indication from the Environmental Assessment Practitioner acting on behalf of SANRAL that there would be further discussion and negotiation between SANRAL and the City regarding the costs and benefits resulting from the imposition of tolls on the N1 and N2. Thus it appeared premature to institute review proceedings at that stage.
The City formally declared a dispute with SANRAL in a letter dated 18 July 2011 relating to issues which have gone unresolved for a number of years. It is incorrect to contend that there is no dispute.
(As this matter was raised at the recent Mayoral Committee meeting, the City of Cape Town considers this to be in the public domain. The guidelines on inter-governmental disputes stating that parties to a dispute should communicate directly with the other side and not through the media, are therefore not valid).
Statement issued by Councillor Brett Herron, Mayoral Committee Member: Transport, Roads and Stormwater, City of Cape Town, August 18 2011
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