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MINISTER MARTHINUS van Schalkwyk's recent announcement to uphold the decision to construct a toll booth on the Noordhoek side of Chapmans Peak Drive (CPD) has drawn widespread criticism from residents and affected groups in the area.

The Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism made the announcement on Thursday in response to appeals lodged against the record of decision.

"I have decided to dismiss the appeals lodged against the decision to allow for the building of tolling infrastructure of CPD at Koeëlbaai and Noordhoek," he said.

But Van Schalkwyk did insert an alteration to the proposal, "that the toll plaza at the Noordhoek end of CPD be constructed entirely within the road reserves of CPD and may not encroach on the adjacent land owned by Serina Investments."

Sybrand van der Spuy, a majority shareholder in Serina Investments, said this original oversight illustrates the lack of adequate planning and consultation involved in the scheme.

"They have not properly considered the viability of the project. They incorrectly and inadvertently extended onto the Serina property and this suggests they did not do their homework on the property," he said.

Ward Councillor Felicity Purchase says there is major resistance to the project within the community.

"I don't know anyone who is not opposed to it. Environmentally, it is a disaster. There is not sufficient space to do it properly without incurring severe alterations to the land," she said.

Purchase added that Noordhoek has limited street lighting as it is a rural area, and that the intended toll booth could compromise the sense of place.

Glenn Ashton, of the Noordhoek Environmental Action Group, said the group is considering legal action to contest the decision.

"According to toll regulations, the slope as it stands is too steep for a toll gate to be erected. Massive earth works will be required. There is no reason for it. There are a lot of negatives and I can?t see any positives," he said.

Van Schalkwyk says that the benefits of the toll booth outweigh the objections raised in the appeal.

"Historically, this road has been affected by safety concerns and incidents of rock falls exacerbated by seasonal fires. A dual toll thus has the additional advantage that, in the event of an emergency, CPD may [efficiently] be closed at both ends," he said.

He added that the thoroughfare will in all probability enhance and promote tourism in the area.

Rory Sales, chairperson of the Noordhoek Conservancy, says that he fails to understand how the toll booth will boost tourism and that he feels the lack of public participation in the process has been a major issue.

"It is hard to argue the decision when you don't have the facts at your disposal, which leads to speculation," he said.

Van der Spuy says another reason given to support the work was the hope of preventing people from driving through on the Noordhoek side, picnicking, and then returning without paying a toll.

He questioned whether the amount of people who are purported to be doing this can justify such major works. Van der Spuy also indicated that legal resolution will be sought through the courts, but, "The situation is complicated. If for instance the minister makes a judgement call such as evaluating the visual impact of the toll booth, it is difficult to prove otherwise for the courts to rule against that."

Van der Spuy says it will have to be shown that the processes involved were not followed correctly.

The planned toll plaza is set to extend over a distance of 120m and will be located in front of the property (Portion 5 of Cape Farm 1387 Noordhoek) owned by Serina Investments.

The plaza is set to include four lanes and associated structures.

For more information on the intended development visit www.environment.gov.za

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