Article re-cap
- The Bree Street pilot, running between Wale and Shortmarket streets, temporarily reconfigures road space to one mixed-traffic lane in each direction to improve pedestrian safety and active mobility.
- Phase two of the Safe Passage Programme will focus on the Albert Road corridor, strengthening connections between Athlone and Langa and linking informal and formal areas of the city.
- The programme is led by the SDI Development Trust and Young Urbanists NPC, with support from the City of Cape Town and Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.
- The initiative is funded through a public-private partnership model that combines public investment with corporate sponsorships, branding opportunities, and outdoor advertising to finance street improvements and ongoing maintenance.
The Safe Passage Programme is expanding from the Cape Town city centre towards Langa to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety.
The next phase of the public-private initiative will focus on strengthening the mobility corridor along Albert Road. This expansion aims to improve connections between Athlone and Langa while linking informal and formal areas of the city.
The programme follows a six-month street experiment on Bree Street, which runs between Wale and Shortmarket streets. During this pilot, road space was temporarily reduced to one mixed-traffic lane in each direction using features such as removable seating, planters, and traffic-calming measures.
Led by the SDI Development Trust and Young Urbanists NPC, the initiative is supported by the City of Cape Town and Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis. The project also includes protected motorcycle parking and formalised loading bays to support the last-mile delivery sector and small businesses.
According to organisers, the programme aims to benefit workers, school pupils, public transport users, pedestrians, cyclists, and small businesses by creating safer transport routes. The initiative is funded through a model combining public investment with corporate sponsorships and outdoor advertising.
The project builds on earlier work in Tshwane through the Always On Traffic Light project. Organisers said the programme is expected to expand to other Gauteng metros and Durban to provide a practical model for South African cities.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Safe Passage Programme and where is it expanding?
The Safe Passage Programme is a public-private initiative expanding from Cape Town's city centre towards Langa to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety. The next phase will focus on Albert Road to strengthen the mobility corridor and improve connections between Athlone and Langa.
What happened during the pilot phase on Bree Street?
During a six-month street experiment on Bree Street between Wale and Shortmarket streets, road space was temporarily reduced to one mixed-traffic lane in each direction using removable seating, planters, and traffic-calming measures to test pedestrian and cyclist safety improvements.
Who is leading the Safe Passage Programme?
The initiative is led by the SDI Development Trust and Young Urbanists NPC, and is supported by the City of Cape Town and Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis. The project is funded through public investment combined with corporate sponsorships and outdoor advertising.
What additional features does the programme include for businesses and delivery services?
The programme includes protected motorcycle parking and formalised loading bays to support the last-mile delivery sector and small businesses operating in the area.
Where else is this programme expected to expand?
The programme builds on earlier work in Tshwane through the Always On Traffic Light project and is expected to expand to other Gauteng metros and Durban to provide a practical model for South African cities.
Source: capetowner.co.za
