Lekwa Local Municipality 2013/14 - Co-operative Governance and ...

“To be the leading, people centered municipality excelling in economic growth, development and governance”To address the coal haulage problem the GSDM ITP (2008) proposes the establishment of a new 68km heavyhaul rail line from Ermelo to the Majuba Power Station. Once commissioned, the rail line will replace the roadtruckingof coal to Majuba. The line is due for completion in 2011, and will be funded and operated by ESKOM.Although rail has become unpopular over the past three decades due to a decline in the service offered, roadconditions and the cost of road-based transport is introducing a shift back to rail.Figure 19: Rail Freight NetworksSummary of the TransportationThe analysis of the movement networks of the Lekwa LM reveals the following:• The regional road network focuses on Standerton and Morgenzon.• Most of these roads are important freight routes and economic corridors. However some of the main roadsare in a poor condition and the secondary and tertiary networks suffer from the allocation of budgets to themain coal haulage routes. Bad quality roads have a negative impact on the economic and socialdevelopment potential of the municipality.• Although rail has become less important over the past couple of decades (trucks having become morepopular), there is a movement back to greater rail usage and new railway lines are planned for the area.This will lessen the load on the road infrastructure.• The Johannesburg-Durban passenger rail service stops at Standerton Station, one of only three stops alongthe route.• A large percentage of the population make use of public transport. Public transport mostly connectsStanderton with areas outside of the municipal area. The only two areas within the municipality that areconnected via public transport are Standerton and Thuthukani.• Most residents make use of non-motorised transport (mostly walking). The highest proportion of theseresidents resides in rural areas, where services and facilities are widely dispersed. This impact on theirability to access services and facilities.66 | P a g e - D r a f t i n t e g r a t e d D e v e l o p m e n t P l a n 2 0 1 3 / 2 0 1 4