The City of Cape Town started the upgrade of the Glencairn Beach parking area on Thursday April 1.
Ward councillor Simon Liell-Cock said while the site had officially handed been over to the appointed contractor by then, work was only expected to begin now that the Easter weekend had passed.
The project will finally see the gravel and informal parking area formalised and paved.
This, he said, would include the demolition of the old and unsightly ablution block and the construction of a new ablution facility. The work is expected to take about six months to complete.
During this time, he said, for safety reasons and to allow effective construction activities, that the entire existing parking area will be closed to the public for the duration of the project or until such time as sections/areas are sufficiently completed and safe enough to open. The closure will begin after the Easter weekend
He said alternative parking exists at the formal parking area at the northern end of Glencairn, – indicated by P1 on the map, on-street parking along Main Road near the railway station and subway, (P2 on the map) and the parking area at the Glencairn Station, (P3).
Pedestrian access will be via the footway on the seaside of Main Road and will be kept open at all times. Access to the beach and tidal pool, he said, would be via the subway and the new walkway. Access is also available via the steps that lead off the Simon’s Town end of the car park under the railway bridge.
Suitable signage directing the public to the access under the railway bridge will be put up.
“We apologise for any inconvenience caused and request the public to be patient during this much needed public beach parking upgrade,” he said.