Mobility
(1) With regard to Bainskloof Pass, (a) is the Minister of the view that the signage is sufficient and (b) what more can be done to alert drivers of the restrictions on this section of the road;
(2) with regard to the Du Toitskloofpass, will the (a) driver or (b) owner of the truck that blocked and damaged the recently upgraded infrastructure on 27 June 2022 be held liable for damages and the costs of traffic control; if not, why not; if so, what are the details of the claims?
Given that a significant part of this question concerns public infrastructure, your attention is drawn to the fact that Minister Simmers is responsible for the infrastructure portfolio. However, I am informed as follows:
[1] [a] I am of the view that the signage erected on Bainskloof Pass is sufficient. The Department installed warning signs in each direction to warn heavy vehicle operators about the height and length restrictions in the pass. All road traffic signs, and road markings are in accordance with the requirements of the South African Road Traffic Signs Manual.
[1][b] From a road infrastructure perspective, all appropriate warning signs are provided in advance of, and at the restrictions. Other measures, such as law enforcement, would be required should these warnings continue to be ignored by drivers.
[2] The Department is not aware of such an incident in the Du Toitskloof Pass. However, on 27 June 2022, such an incident occurred in the Bainskloof Pass. Since the construction site has been handed over to the Contractor for the construction period, part of the contractor’s contractual responsibilities is to have insurance of works in place for the period of construction. Subsequent to the incident, the contractor submitted a claim to his insurers for the damage to the infrastructure. The contractor’s insurers will further deal with the matter and the guilty party. Since this is a civil matter, the Department is not in a position to provide details of the claims.
