Measures to Address Road Safety on the R43 near Avian Park, Worcester | Western Cape Government

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Measures to Address Road Safety on the R43 near Avian Park, Worcester

13 March 2015

Joint Statement Issued by the Office of the Minister of Transport and Public Works and the Office of the Executive Mayor of the Breede Valley Municipality

Donald Grant, Minister of Transport and Public Works and Antoinette Steyn, Executive Mayor of the Breede Valley Municipality express their heartfelt condolences with the untimely death of Teagan Martin from Avian Park, Worcester who lost his life in a  road accident on the R43 yesterday afternoon.

The scene of the accident was visited by the Executive Mayor and Municipal Manager, Mr Gerrit Matthyse on Thursday evening. Minister Grant travelled to Worcester early this morning to discuss the incident with the Breede Valley Municipality and other role players, including Provincial Traffic, Department of Education and the South African Police Services.

The Minister and the representatives also met with a delegation from the Avian Park residential area which borders on the R43 where the accident took place. The following measures to address problems relating to the specific section of the R43 where most problems and accidents occur were jointly accepted by all the parties.

Short Term Measures

  • Increased visibility, patrolling and law enforcement by the Breede Valley Traffic Department to prevent a reoccurrence of the tragic event.
  • Improved communication with the Avian Park community via structures such as the ward committee and ward councillors.

Medium Term Measures

  • A traffic management plan based on the four principals of road safety – evaluation, infrastructure, engineering and education (including improved signage and speed calming) will be communicated to the Avian Park community before the end of March 2015.

Long Term Measures

  • Consideration of measures in terms of BVM’s Spatial Development Plan to improve road safety in the area.
  • Minister Grant in reaction to complaints by the Avian Park delegation committed himself to discuss the safety of the area with the Minister of Community Safety, Mr Dan Plato.

Both the Minister and Executive Mayor commended the community for their understanding and willingness to work with the Department of Transport and Public Works and the Municipality to find a solution that will enhance road safety on the R43.

Media Enquiries: 

Siphesihle Dube
Spokesperson for Minister of Transport and Public Works, Donald Grant
Tel: 021 483 8954
Cell: 084 233 3811
E-mail: siphesihle.dube@westerncape.gov.za