The controversial N1/N2 Winelands Toll Project, which will see motorists paying 72c/km – three times that of Gauteng’s tolls – will benefit tourism to the region instead of hindering it, according to the South African National Roads Agency (Sanral).
Vusi Mona, General Manager of Communications at Sanral, told Tourism Update: “The reality is that an improved road network is urgently needed to further unlock the economic potential of the Western Cape. It will bring major benefits for the agricultural sector, the tourism industry, the movement of goods and products and job creation.”
However, tourism industry players in the Cape argue that tourism in the Cape Winelands will undoubtedly be negatively affected if the tolls go ahead.
“The cost of day trips and travel packages will increase, which is always a concern,” says Annareth Bolton, CEO of Stellenbosch Wine Routes. She says the wine tourism industry is working extremely hard at promoting the destination locally and internationally and the tolls would be a major obstacle. “We should be making it easier for visitors to explore our country, not harder.”
Rickety Bridge Winery’s Andrew Harris agrees. “With tourism numbers already under pressure from the ridiculous new visa laws, a Winelands toll would be another step towards cutting off the livelihood of so many rural families who rely heavily on the employment provided by tourism in the Winelands.”
Lyndsay Jackson, GM of the Guest House Accommodation of South Africa (GHASA), adds that regular commuters, such as accommodation establishment staff and suppliers to the industry, will also be adversely affected. “The knock-on effect would result in higher costs of operating tourism businesses. The tourism sector can ill afford more economic stress!”
The City of Cape Town has decided to take Sanral to court in an attempt to have the proposed N1/N2 Winelands Toll Project scrapped. Councillor Brett Herron says the outcome of the case will have “far-reaching consequences for the future of our city”.
Herron says the projected cost of the Winelands Toll Project escalated from R1.6bn in March 2000 to R44.9bn in March 2010. This is an increase of 2 620% over a period of 10 years and was never presented to or considered by the decision-makers, he says.
However, according to Mona, the cost of the upgrade of 175km on the Winelands network is estimated at R11.9bn. He says, if given the go-ahead, Sanral will be able to complete the initial construction of the upgrades within three years.
