The City will plant new trees in Parktown following the necessary felling of about 70 trees to make way for the Rea Vaya system.

The boulevard effect will be restored

But each of these trees will be replaced, in line with the environmental Record of Decision and City Parks’ policy, which states that the equivalent number of trees must be replaced in the same suburb where they were cut.

The stretch of road where trees are being cut down is approximately 0,98km long and includes intersections with Joubert and Sam Hancock streets. These routes will be linked to the Metro Centre Rea Vaya loop, which travels to the inner city via Braamfontein.

Other scheduled work here includes the resurfacing of mixed traffic lanes, street lighting, construction of a station platform and repaving walking areas. About 91 trees have been affected by construction work and about 72 have had to be removed.

To compensate residents living in affected suburbs and environmentalists, the City has agreed to plant additional trees in private properties, if owners agree, and discussions with the relevant people have begun.

About 72 mature trees have had to be removed

The project team has committed to this and the intention has been communicated in all public meetings and engagements with interested and affected parties.  As a concession, the project team has also undertaken to try to maintain the ‘boulevard effect’ by planting a row of trees along the route, inside the private properties.

There have also been consultations with the Parktown East Residents’ Association, and as a result Princess Street has been identified for tree planting, as has nearby Pieter Roos Park.

All the trees on the route have been photographed and a report, together with a plan of the affected trees, is being compiled.

Construction on this section of the road is under way and work is expected to be completed at the end of August 2011. Lane restrictions have been imposed and traffic delays can be expected. Motorists are urged to drive courteously, obey road signs and observe speed restrictions.

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