Media Alert: Minister Carlisle to Meet with Helderberg Community Regarding Road Safety on the R44

Minister Robin Carlisle will on Monday afternoon visit the R44/Bredell Road intersection near Stellenbosch to brief the community and users of the dangerous intersection on the Department's plan to make the R44 in general, and this intersection in particular, safer.

The R44 has seen increasing numbers of crashes in recent years due to heavy development, particularly along the Somerset West to Stellenbosch corridor, including housing developments, restaurants, schools and the Techno Park. Exacerbating the problem has been the number of unsafe and often illegal access roads and median crossings which have appeared over time.

The R44/Bredell Road intersection has been the scene of 37 accidents in the last ten years. Two months ago, on the morning of 21 June, two crashes occurred there within just three hours of each other, leaving 40 people injured. Other dangerous intersections on the R44, like the Annandale Road crossing, have seen as many as 65 crashes in a ten-year period.

Members of the media are invited to attend the community meeting with the Minister. Kindly inform Steven Otter of your intention to attend.

Date: Monday, 22 August 2011
Time: 14:30
Location: R44/Bredell Road Intersection