Residents of the Dennesig neighbourhood have expressed their frustrations over a lack of communication from Stellenbosch Municipality regarding municipal road works. This is according to Luke van Schalkwyk, a Stellenbosch University (SU) student living in the Dennesig neighbourhood.
A construction project which commenced on 12 August, directly affects a section of Dennesig Street between Hoffman and Bird Street, as this section will be temporarily closed for three months. This is according to Stellenbosch Municipality spokesperson Stuart Grobbelaar.
Stellenbosch Municipality awarded a R31 million tender to Groeneveld Civil Engineering and Construction (CEC) for a project along Dennesig Street. This is according to Georg Groeneveld, director of Groeneveld CEC. The project consists of roadworks along Dennesig Street which will be closed for 14 weeks, according to municipality spokesperson Stuart Grobbelaar. PHOTO: Nkululeko Ndlovu.
The Dennesig and Bird Street intersection is also partially closed, with traffic being diverted off Bird Street heading towards Stellenbosch Central, according to Grobbelaar.
This forms part of Stellenbosch Municipality’s efforts to develop pedestrian walking landscapes along the road, provide safe routes for non-motorised vehicles, and speed calming for vehicles. This is according to a document prepared by Groeneveld Civil Engineering and Construction (CEC), who were awarded the R31 million tender by Stellenbosch Municipality to complete the project.
Roadworks ahead?
“The southbound [inbound] direction along Bird Street, between Borcherd Road and Dennesig Street, will be temporarily closed to facilitate essential road upgrades. This closure is expected to last approximately 14 weeks,” said Grobbelaar.
Phase one of the project began on 12 August 2024.
Residents along Dennesig Street are frustrated over a lack of communication regarding a construction project by Stellenbosch Municipality. This is according to Luke van Schalkwyk, a tenant living along Dennesig Street. According to Van Schalkwyk, residents are upset at not being informed that they will not have vehicle access to the street for 14 weeks. PHOTO: Nkululeko Ndlovu
Alternative parking arrangements
Meanwhile, Groeneveld CEC, in conjunction with Stellenbosch Municipality, has arranged alternative parking for residents affected by the construction, according to Georg Groeneveld, director of Groeneveld CEC.
The alternative parking is approximately 400 metres away for people living in the section blocked off, according to Van Schalkwyk. This created security concerns for residents.
“The girls in the [WhatsApp] group say they only finish training at 21:00 and now have to walk 400 metres which is dangerous,” he said.
Frustrated residents of Dennesig have cited safety as their primary concern regarding the three-month road closures.
“Cars get broken into all the time, we have had multiple instances of robbery just outside our block,” said Van Schalkwyk
Stellenbosch Municipality has blocked off parts of Dennesig and Bird Street to commence roadworks along Dennesig Street. This is according to Stellenbosch Municipality spokesperson Stuart Grobbelaar. Affected residents may access the area through Hoffman Road, as well as make use of alternative parking arranged by Groeneveld Civil Engineering and Construction, and Stellenbosch Municipality, according to Grobbelaar. GRAPHIC: Nkululeko Ndlovu
Van Schalkwyk claimed that some neighbouring building managers were only notified of the works a few days before commencement.
While this could not be confirmed, some affected residents claimed they only learned about the closure during the week of 5 August.
“As far as […] the public participation procedure and the arrangements for parking and access are concerned, Groeneveld CEC was not part of the process, but merely acting under instruction,” said Groeneveld.
Stellenbosch Municipality published municipal notice No.103/2024 on 5 August informing the public of a temporary lane closure on Bird Street, as well as the complete closure of Dennesig Street.