Chapman's Peak closed due to rockfall

2011-11-09 10:54

Cape Town - Cape Town's scenic Chapman's Peak Drive was still closed on Wednesday after a rock fall.

Western Cape transport MEC Robin Carlisle said the rockfall happened around 16:00 on Tuesday on the centre line of the road, leaving a large impact crater just past the half tunnel on the Noordhoek side of the drive.

"The rock fall was almost certainly the result of the heavy rains on the slopes of Chapman’s Peak," Carlisle said.

"This was a level 4 rock fall. As per the standard operating procedure agreed with Entileni, the Chapman’s Peak drive operator, the road was closed immediately."

There are four levels of rock falls, with Level four representing the highest risk, which demands immediate closure.

"Due to the wet weather conditions it has been impossible to access the slope to determine the origin point of the rock fall," Carlisle said.

"However, a visual observation has indicated that the rock dislodged from an exposed area about 30 metres above the road in front of the catch fence."

Geotechnical experts will assess the area on Wednesday.

A rope access team will determine the origin point and other possible risks.

The roads team will repair the crater in the road.

"If there is a break in the rain and no other risk is identified it is our goal to get the road open before lunchtime."

- SAPA