Work started on Monday on new walkways, parking areas and ablution facilities along Table View beachfront as part of a R100 million upgrade, says the City.
Aged stormwater infrastructure along this stretch of beachfront will be repaired as work progresses, says mayoral committee member for spatial planning and environment Eddie Andrews.
The contractor would set up a site camp and start with preparation work for a new coastal walkway from Bokkomsbaai to Marine Circle, he said.
“Walkways are extremely popular as they allow for recreational activities along the coast. It is used by people of all ages, be it for walking or running, and is a great way of connecting with the outdoors in a safe environment away from traffic. We will also be constructing new ablution facilities and upgrading and reconfiguring the parking areas.”
The work would take about two years to complete, but the public would have access to the beach at all times, he said.
“Table View Beach gives us an iconic view of Table Mountain in the distance. It is a favourite kite-surfing spot and extremely popular among locals and visitors. The City is always planning ahead and investing in projects that can protect and improve our natural and other assets. We commenced with the implementation of this major upgrade project in June last year with our first focus being the rehabilitation of the dune system, which is now well under way (“R100m beachfront revamp gets going,” Tabletalk, July 13, 2023).”
The project has drawn a mixed response from residents with some welcoming it and others voicing fears that the new ablution blocks will be used by vagrants and that parking will remain a problem during the busy summer period (“Big changes for Table View beachfront, says City,” Tabletalk, September 6, 2023)”.
A new 2km walkway will be built from Bokkomsbaai in the north to Marine Circle in the south, and the existing 1km walkway from Marine Circle to Dolphin Beach will be restored.
A new ablution facility will be built between Shell and Seal roads, and the old tourism office will be renovated to accommodate a second ablution facility south of Marine Circle. Existing ablution facilities will be refurbished.
A new parking area will be created opposite Visagie Street to supplement parking bays that will have to make way for the new walkway. And parking bays will be added at Bokkomsbaai.
The dune-rehabilitation project includes wind nets and vegetation to mitigate the impact of windblown sand on the adjacent infrastructure, including the parking areas.
