Stellenbosch Municipality is looking into a proposal to build a new parking spot within Stellenbosch central business district (CBD), according to Stuart Grobbelaar, communications manager for Stellenbosch Municipality.
SMEC South Africa (SA), a civil engineering company, was appointed approximately two months ago to undertake studies to determine and confirm the parking demand in the Stellenbosch CBD, according to Grobbelaar.
“The traffic study is currently still ongoing and will be finalised in the coming months,” said Grobbelaar.
The information collected and analyses carried out, which includes analysis for future scenarios, will be used to determine the most appropriate means to address the parking demand in Stellenbosch, said Grobbelaar.
“Thereafter, a report will be compiled and an item on the matter will serve before council at a future date,” he said.
In the event that the development of a parking structure goes ahead, Eikestad Mall hopes to participate in a tender process to build a structured parking facility within the Andringa parkade location, said Andre Williams, general manager of Eikestad Mall. PHOTO: Liam Voorma
‘Bulk parking facilities required’
The municipality had previously received complaints from communities to improve on parking within the CBD area, said Grobbelaar.
“The provision of bulk parking facilities will be required to address the parking needs and demands,” said Grobbelaar.
The municipality has made a recommendation to build a parking facility by Andringa parkade, opposite Eikestad Mall, said Andre Williams, general manager of Eikestad Mall.
However, this would take a few years before completion, said Williams.
The goal of the parking studies is to collect and analyse data to determine an accurate picture of parking demands and traffic flows, according to Stuart Grobbelaar, communications manager for Stellenbosch municipality. PHOTO: Liam Voorma
Face-to-face surveys
Interviews were conducted by SMEC SA on 18 and 19 May, said Meagan Chapman, field worker for SMEC SA.
“The purpose of the face-to-face surveys is for the possibility of a parking bay being built opposite Eikestad Mall,” said Chapman.
The majority of people interviewed were students at Stellenbosch University (SU) as well as parents and lecturers, said Chapman. The questions asked determined the amount students would pay for parking, why they parked at specific spots, whether it was the closest to their destination, and if there was free parking available, Chapman said.
“The majority of people said they would not want to pay for parking,” said Chapman.
However, upon observation, many students were given parking tickets regardless of how difficult it is to find parking close to their destinations, said Chapman.
“The parking counters set up around central Stellenbosch, appointed by the local municipality, serve the purpose to build up evidence to justify why additional parking is needed,” said Williams.
The majority of students are at Stellenbosch University for more than 6 hours a day, and are having to pay parking fees, said Meagan Chapman, field worker for SMEC South Africa. PHOTO: Liam Voorma