City to give Fisherman’s Lane a facelift

The upgrade of the popular Fisherman’s Lane at Strandfontein Beach is one of the most important capital projects the City of Cape Town’s Coastal Management Department will be undertaking over the next three years.

The City has allocated approximately R25 million in its proposed budget over the next three years for the upgrade of the coastal infrastructure at Fisherman’s Lane on the False Bay coast.

‘The spring tides and wave action have left its mark on this popular fishing spot that has been a huge attraction to fisherman from all over the city. They’ve been visiting Fisherman’s Lane for decades, armed with rods and bait and loads of patience, hoping to catch line fish. It’s high time that we restore and protect this area for future generations and I’m happy to say that this project will be a priority for us,’ said the City’s Mayoral Commmittee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Marian Nieuwoudt.

Officials within the Coastal Management Department have already started with the planning of the Fisherman’s Lane project and professional service providers will be appointed in due course.

‘After obtaining a detailed environmental decision we now know what we can do at Fisherman’s Lane. The City prides itself in open access to our coasts and breaches, but recognises that we must take climate change and its impact into account,’ said Alderman Nieuwoudt.

Much of the upgrade will be focused on replacing the worn coastal infrastructure, among which a new walkway where the road has collapsed and replacing a section of the broken sea wall with a rock revetment, which is a solid structure that is put in place to absorb the force of the incoming water.

‘What excites me most though are the plans we have for the existing braai area and for a new picnic and braai area where we will have a designated play zone for children and walkways to the tidal pool and parking lot. These improvements, once completed, will have a huge impact on visitors’ overall experience of Fisherman’s Lane. This must be a welcoming and safe space for families where they can spend time in nature and fully enjoy the beautiful surroundings,’ said Alderman Nieuwoudt.

The details of the imminent upgrade are as follows:

Demolish and remove a section of the disintegrated road and sea wall

Replace a section of the disintegrated road with a new boardwalk

Replace a section of the disintegrated sea wall with a rock revetment at the main parking area

Build a new elevated coastal walkway with lighting at night to improve the general safety of those walking to the parking areas, beach, and braai area

Upgrade of the existing parking area with additional parking bays

Upgrade of the existing braai area with surfaced roads and a new boardwalk to link this area with the new coastal walkway

Upgrade the western car park and close off illegal routes to the car park

Build a new braai and picnic area with play equipment and a walkway to the tidal pool

Replace the dirt tracks in the old braai area and western parking area with asphalt roads

‘The detailed specifications of the tender are being finalised and this will be advertised in due course. We’re aiming to have the contractor on site by October 2020 and for the project to be completed by November 2021, if all goes as planned,’ said Alderman Nieuwoudt.

Source: City Of Cape Town

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