Additional vehicle access permits are to be issued by the Royal Bafokeng Administration to residents around the vicinity of Royal Bafokeng Stadium as from Thursday ahead of the last FIFA Confederation Cup match to be hosted at the 45 000 seater stadium on Sunday.
The strict process that includes submission of proof of residence and documents to confirm official vehicle registration addresses is meant to alleviate the inconvenience of local residents due to closure of identified roads whilst curbing illegal parking of vehicles at private residences around the stadium observed during previous matches.
“The match provides us with yet another opportunity to tighten and strengthen short term and medium terms interventions that need to be put in place to ensure that our plans are adapted to dynamics of the environment and practical invaluable lessons we have gained during previous matches. There is no room for complacency and denials, we have to eliminate weaknesses at all costs ahead of next year’s world cup,” says North West MEC for Public Safety, Howard Yawa.
Deployment of volunteers and coordinators at park and ride facilities five hours before match kick-offs, increasing the number of shuttles, implementation of a ring road for traffic management and smooth flow of traffic from the stadium to park and ride facilities after the match, introducing dedicated lanes for taxis and busses to avoid overtaking that might inconvenience other road users, improved crowd control and designated signage to direct fans to pick-up points for transport to various park and ride venues after the match.
The short term interventions to improve traffic management are informed by congestion that occurred last Sunday on the Lefaragatlha road leading to the Olympia Park Stadium Park and Ride after the USA-Egypt match. MEC Yawa appeals to fans to assist the interventions by arriving at park and ride facilities four hours before match kick-off and to cooperate with transport coordinators after the match. “No hiccups will be experienced this time around,” Yawa assures fans.
Generators are to be provided to improve on lighting at parking facilities without electricity in the short term. The host city has committed to install electricity before the world cup to safeguard fans and vehicles to be parked at the venues. Regravelling of Park and Ride facilities is among some of the identified medium term priorities.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Cell: 083 629 1987
Tel: 018 381 9171
Fax: 018 381 9164
E-mail: LKgwele@nwpg.gov.za
