Should it want to continue with the project, Sanral would have to start all over again with a proper public participation process.
Carl Opperman, CEO of Agri Wes Cape, welcomed the decision, saying that farmers weren’t able to absorb any more costs under the current economic environment. In 2008 Agri Wes Cape commissioned an investigation into the potential costs the toll roads would add to production. Back then it was estimated that the industry would incur costs of around R4,2 million at a conservative return toll fare of R100.
Sanral proposed six toll gates on the N1, with prices, ranging between R30 and R220 per gate for heavy vehicles. Four were proposed on the N2, with prices ranging between R60 and R100 per gate for heavy vehicles.
Opperman said that the report showed that there would always be repercussions when the right procedures weren’t followed.
“Road users already pay fuel levies. What are these levies used for? Hopefully the ruling will motivate other companies to follow the correct procedures in future,” he said.
