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Tuesday 22 February 2011
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Sticky issues during U2 concert VERNA VAN DIEMEN
W
HILE the U2 concert at Cape Town Stadium on Friday went down a treat, it was not without a few hiccups. Local residents complained about noise and parking woes which resulted in some getting traffic fines. Their pleas have not fallen on deaf ears, and ward councillor JP Smith has set the wheels in motion to improve conditions at future stadium events. Noise testing devices have been set around Green Point and Mouille Point, as well as a monitoring mechanism to oversee traffic. Smith says the city will use the findings from these mechanisms as soon as they become available, to the benefit of local residents. “We placed noise testing devices at various spots; one in Mouille Point, one in York Road, Green Point and the other one on a high hill in Green Point. “I am awaiting reports on the results of the traffic and noise level mechanisms.” During the concert, a number of Green Point residents were fined for parking illegally and some residents complained about the noise levels. But the city reported that – other than a woman going into labour during the concert – the event was
“
successful and went smoothly. Louw Visagie, one of the stadium managers from the city said: “The noise levels were more or less the same as during the World Cup and the traffic went quite well.” Bob Goebel, chairperson of the Green Point Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Association, admitted that some residents got traffic fines because they may not have been aware of the permit system. “No there wasn’t (enough awareness) and we must do something about it.” Goebel said residents who moved into the area after the World Cup may not have known that they needed parking discs. Four residents had called Goebel by yesterday morning (Monday) to complain about the parking fines they had received. “The parking situation was terrible. What could we expect? It was the U2 concert. It is a very serious situation but we know that the council is trying their best,” said Goebel, who also had to circle the block five times before finding parking. “I was baffled because I couldn’t find space for my own car,” he said. The parking disc system was met with delight by residents’ associations when it was approved just before the World Cup in June last year. Those who do not have discs can
I was baffled because I
couldn’t find space for my own car
”
THE BIG SPLASH: Camps Bay High School held its annual InterHouse Gala at the school’s swimming pool on Tuesday 15 February. The event ends with the Big Splash, where all the matriculants jump into the pool together, a tradition that goes back many years. Photo: Suretha Rous
place a council utility bill inside their cars for traffic officers to see. Smith said: “We have to realise that if four people complained out of an area which has 8 000 properties then we did quite well.” Some people used their friends’ parking discs to park in Green Point, said Smith. “I cannot understand the desire to park in Green Point on event days. It will be the same distance to walk if you use public transport.” Locals were also frustrated by the “high noise levels” from the stadium during the concert. Goebel said he has had a number of calls about the noise but residents realise that they have to compromise if they want the stadium full. “We enjoyed the concert from our bedrooms and balconies but there is nothing we can do about the noise. Look, we need the stadium full. “It is the only way to keep our suburb neat and tidy. If it is not full
we will be loaded with exorbitant rates and taxes,” he said. In contrast, Mouille Point Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Association chairperson Jane Meyer, said she has had no complaints about parking or excessive noise levels from residents. “I think residents generally use public transport on event days. I tried to listen to the concert from my balcony in Sea Point and I could hear nothing,” she said. After the concert Smith monitored the traffic flow in the area on his motorcycle. “It took a long time for the cars to clear afterwards, but what could we expect? It was 72 000 people,” he said. Smith will meet with residents’ associations to issue the new parking discs which will be valid for a year from July 2011. It has a metallic element, cannot be photocopied and will cost R85 per year. Parking discs are available from
ratepayers’ associations. Smith said he had to install technical noise tests following mixed feedback from residents about noise levels after the Mother City Queer Project which was held at the stadium on Saturday 18 December. Some residents said the noise was unbearable while others said they could “barely hear a whisper”. Kylie Hatton, Media Manager: City of Cape Town, said: “A total of 145 traffic officers issued 69 fines in the Green Point and Sea Point area – 30 by Metro Police and 39 by the provincial traffic department. “Only three cars were towed away in the area as these were obstructing roadways.” Hatton said residents who wish to appeal their fines should go to court where the decision will be made on whether or not to reduce the fines. Sea Point police spokesperson Warrant Officer Bheki Xulu said there were no crime incidents reported during the concert.
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