Parking will be restricted on a section of Church Street and Andringa Street from 26 October to 31 October for the municipality’s #TransportMonth initiative, according to Stuart Grobbelaar, Stellenbosch Municipality spokesperson.
This initiative aims to “encourage residents to enjoy these popular streets, packed with amazing restaurants, art galleries and other quaint shops [without] the need to be on the lookout for oncoming vehicles”, said Grobbelaar.
In these no-parking zones, preference will be given to non-motorised transport, pedestrians and cyclists, he said.
Vehicle access in these streets will be restricted to delivery vehicles, residents who live in these streets and public transport vehicles. Although there will be drop-and-go facilities in these zones, vehicles that enter these zones must drive at 20 kilometres per hour, he added.
“This week is about encouraging freedom of movement, exploring alternative transport solutions and drawing more visitors to the heart of [the] Stellenbosch town,” said Grobbelaar.
Mixed reactions from businesses
However, some restaurant managers are concerned that it may affect their customers ability to find parking.
According to Barend Stridon, manager of Java Bistro, customers have complained in the past about a lack of parking space near Java.
“We’ve got a lot of older customers and they can’t park five or six blocks away to walk here. They rely on the parking close by,” he said.
Although some Stellenbosch restaurant owners and managers are apprehensive about the temporary changes, others feel positive about the initiative.
“It creates a bit of excitement in the centre of Stellenbosch. I can’t see how it would cause obstruction,” said Rico Wessels, chef and manager of Basic Bistro on Church Street.