By Nangamso Mabindla
19 September 2007

WITH fewer gradients than the N2 through Grahamstown – and beautiful scenery – the R72 highway has become the most popular route between East London and Port Elizabeth.

Over the past three years there has been an increase in the number of vehicles, including trucks, travelling on the R72, causing much degradation and leading to a need for constant maintenance. The road runs from East London to Port Elizabeth via the coastal tourist town of Port Alfred.

In light of its deterioration, the provincial department of roads and transport and the South African National Roads Agency Limited decided to commission a feasibility study for the tolling of the R72.

Department spokesperson Ncedo Kumbaca said that his department intended to upgrade the R72 to a dual-lane standard. However, to improve its state, the department needed to meet with its partners to discuss the tolling strategy.

"That is why, on Tuesday, 25 September, the province’s MEC for safety, liaison, roads and transport, Thobile Mhlahlo, will address the Eastern Cape business community about the R72 tolling strategy."

The meeting, organised by the business community and the department of roads and transport, will be held at Mphekweni Sun in Port Alfred.

Kumbaca said it was important that a strategy to improve the state of the R72 was developed, as it was a major road supporting industry and tourism. "It is also important for the 2010 Fifa World Cup™."

Nelson Mandela Bay municipality will host matches during the tournament, with Buffalo City and other Eastern Cape municipalities hoping to be base cities for teams. Teams and supporters will use the road to travel between the two cities.

"This workshop is a direct response to the pronouncement made by Mhlahlo in his policy statement presented in March at the Eastern Cape legislature, that the tolling of the R72 will be a priority this year."

Business Eastern Cape believed that the upgrading of the R72, the road linking the two major economic hubs of the Eastern Cape, was critical to the future wellbeing and development of Buffalo City and the rest of the province, according to spokesperson Gwyn Bassingthwaighte.

"It is also critical to the coastal areas between [Nelson Mandela Bay] and Buffalo City [and] all other areas, such as the Transkei, that are ultimately connected to Nelson Mandela Bay metro via the R72."

He said that with this development in mind, a steering committee was set up to increase the lobby on the R72 upgrade, a three-lane road with passing shoulders. The committee, which was instrumental in arranging the workshop, comprised of stakeholders from Buffalo City and Nelson Mandela Bay.

"The government has spent untold amounts of money fixing and repairing and upgrading certain sections of the road. With the current truck and heavy usage of the road, it is breaking up as fast as it is fixed. Over 400 trucks a day travel the road … Organised business is very keen to see the road improved, particularly before 2010, and therefore believe that a concerted effort by all stakeholders needs to be started."

Stakeholders invited to the indaba ranged from local authorities and tourism groups to the two industrial development zones in East London and Coega, development agencies and other interested parties like the Pineapple Growers’ Association, environmentalists, road freight associations, taxi associations and rural groups.

The workshop aimed to find out from the stakeholders the need and urgency for upgrades, and the effect the current road had and the expected effect an upgraded road would have on the province’s economy.

"And finally, if the need is identified for the upgrading of the road, [the workshop will] draw up a document, signed by all representatives, calling on the relevant parties to speed up the upgrading process," Bassingthwaighte said.

For information about the indaba, call Marcine Featherstone of Business Eastern Cape on 043 740 556 or email her at marcine@mweb.co.za