The City of Cape Town has embarked on a significant pilot project aimed at mitigating the effects of windblown sand on Baden Powell Drive, particularly at Sandy Corner, near Monwabisi.
Launched on Monday, February 2, the initiative promises to address a persistent problem that jeopardises road safety for commuters during the windy summer months, reports Cape {town} Etc.
Known for its challenging conditions, Sandy Corner experiences severe sand accumulation due to strong southeasterly winds that sweep across the local dune system.
This recurring issue necessitates regular maintenance to ensure the thoroughfare remains safe for the thousands who rely on it for daily commutes. The current project is expected to wrap up by next week, provided all goes according to plan.
Under the guidance of the City’s Coastal Management branch, working in conjunction with the Roads Infrastructure Management Department, the pilot project seeks to test the effectiveness of brushwood and straw in stabilising the dune system while simultaneously helping to trap the sand.
Alongside this, the dune itself will undergo reprofiling to further enhance its resilience against windblown sand.
‘We started the work on Monday and hope to be done by next week. Some people driving along Baden Powell Drive would have noticed the activity next to the road. We are moving approximately 5000 m³ of clean sand and returning this to circulation in the sea.
‘Then we reprofile the dune, and trial the use of the brushwood and straw to trap the sand. This is only a trial and we will track the efficiency in the coming months,’ stated Alderman Eddie Andrews, the City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayco Committee for Spatial Planning and Environment.
Baden Powell Drive serves as a crucial east-west corridor in the metro-south east, facilitating essential mobility for daily commuters. The accumulation of sand can lead to hazardous driving conditions, requiring periodic road closures during peak wind periods.
Councillor Rob Quintas, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, expressed optimism about the project’s potential impact.
‘It really becomes a challenge in the summer months when sand accumulates on the surface. We are happy to work with our colleagues from Coastal Management who are the experts in coastal systems and are optimistic that this trial will work to protect the road,’ Quintas noted.
After the project reaches completion, the City plans to monitor the dune system vigilantly, assessing its impact and efficacy over the ongoing trial period, which is set to conclude in June 2026.
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Picture: City of Cape Town
Source: City of Cape Town
