Following concerns raised by Cosatu, the Transport Minister Dipuo Peters met with the North West provincial secretaries of the ANC and Cosatu to discuss issues relating to the Swartruggens toll plaza.
A report from the Swartruggens Task Team, set up by the Minister to look into the socio-economic impact of the Swartruggens toll plaza on the residents of the immediate surrounding areas who travel on the N4 regularly was also presented.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Transport there was general acknowledgement that no sufficient progress had been made since the Task Team began its work.
At the meeting it was resolved that:
• The South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) will submit a report to the Minister on the feasibility study conducted on an alternative road that will run parallel to the N4.
• That a report on the impact of a possible reduction of the toll tariff from R71.00 to R20.00 will also be submitted to the Minister.
The statement also said that there was a need for an awareness campaign to have motorists register on the local user discount programme to be championed by the Department of Transport, SANRAL, the NW Department of Roads and Public Works and supported by Cosatu, SANCO and the taxi industry.
Plans to expand the scope of the Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Committee’s SIP 4 to include tolling along the N4 were also discussed by the parties.
Another meeting is planned to take place near the end of November to continue discussion regarding the impact of this toll plaza on residents.
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