Minister of Transport and Public Works
Question by:
Hon Ricardo Mackenzie
Answered by:
Hon Daylin Mitchell
Question Number:
11
Question Body:
- What are the criteria or metrics used for deciding which rural roads will be prioritised for maintenance;
whether he and/or his Department have submitted any proposal to the Provincial Treasury for the allocation of funds in the (a) previous MTEF period (2018, 2019 and 2020) and (b) new MTEF period (2021, 2022 and 2023); if so, what was the response;
whether he and/or his Department have any plans for public–private partnerships in order to maintain rural roads; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
- what is the process for the proclamation of an already natural servitude road?
Answer Body:
- All rural roads need to be managed and maintained in accordance with the draft Technical Methods for Highways (TMH) 22: Road asset management manual.
- (a) and (b) The Department has to submit a Road Asset Management Plan (RAMP) for every MTEF period to Provincial Treasury. The RAMP clearly communicates and justifies funding requirements for a 10-year analysis period. The RAMP documentation is reviewed by Provincial Treasury and feedback is provided on the compliance of the RAMP.
- There are no plans under consideration for private-public partnerships to maintain rural roads. Local landowners can and often do maintenance on minor roads which mainly give local access to specific properties and carry very low traffic volumes. In the case of higher order roads, any private party working within the road reserve must have the required competency, experience, equipment and insurance cover to do the required work. A formal contractual relationship between the Department and a contractor is therefore required.
- The process for the proclamation of a servitude road to be a public road is described/dictated by Section 3 of the Roads Ordinance No 19 of 1976. In short the following is required -
- A fully motivated application be lodged with the Department for consideration;
- The application is evaluated in collaboration with the District and/or Local Municipalities as well as the relevant District Roads Engineer by the Chief Engineer: Road Use Management of the Department;
- If supported, the application is advertised in the local press and the affected property owners are notified of the proposal;
- A period of 21 days for the submission of objections/support of the proposal;
- The final consideration/approval of the proposal by the Chief Engineer: Road Use Management following the submission of objections/comments;
- The submission of the proposal together with any objections/support/comments to the Minister for consideration and approval, and
- The publication of the proclamation of the road as a public road in the Provincial Gazette, if it is approved.
Date:
Friday, November 5, 2021
