The Somerset West Traffic Licence Testing Centre (DLTC) on Victoria Street will be relocated to Strand later this year. The current site is difficult to access during peak times, is surrounded by rubble, has a shortage of parking and is non-operational during loadshedding.
Despite these issues, it remains an important service.
According to the DistrikPos, rumours of the station’s closure have circulated since 2009, but plans were halted due to widespread public objection.
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Driving school instructor John Jackson of LL Cool J Driving School expressed concern over the lack of public awareness and communication from the city regarding the relocation.
‘The city has not presented an alternative and has not communicated to any affected parties about these plans,’ he said.
Jackson remarked that only part of the station obstructs the N2, questioning the need for a complete relocation. He said that the move would inconvenience people travelling from distant areas like Grabouw.
‘Maintenance of the current facility is already a concern and was worsened during the flooding last year,’ he said. ‘Only a part of the testing station grounds is obstructing the N2 realignment so to move the entire building is just unnecessary, in my opinion. People come to this facility from afar as Grabouw and other areas, and to move it will just increase the inconvenience.’
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Jan Kruger, a communications officer for the City of Cape Town, explained that the current DLTC location on the N2 road reserve, as identified by Sanral, necessitates the move.
Kruger said that a temporary site is being sought until a new facility is constructed at the intersection of Erika and Main Road in Strand. The transition is planned for October, subject to Sanral’s timeline, with efforts to ensure minimal disruption to services.
‘The city’s traffic service is in the process of identifying an alternative site for the DLTC,’ he said. ‘This site will be a temporary site until such time that a new DLTC will be constructed in Strand (on the corner of Erika and Main Road).’
Kruger added that the city’s Traffic Service intends to make a smooth transition to a new temporary site to minimise the impact on service delivery to residents and customers.
Unverified sources suggest the temporary location might be at Main and Aerodome Road, currently housing netball courts and a skate park. The city has not clarified details regarding public participation in these decisions or reasons for abandoning the 2009 closure plans.
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