2013_14 IDP Review.pdf - KZN Development Planning

4.Services and Social InfrastructureServices and social infrastructure is key to development. A constrained orunderperforming services environment does not contribute to sustainabledevelopment. The availability of services that meets the expectedperformance criteria and access to these services are prerequisites forsocial and economic development.4.1 Transportation linksDevelopment is a function of accessibility. Remoteness and isolation neverpromotes and enhances development. Access to facilities andopportunities sustain development. Spatially, transportation networks andfacilities play an important role in development.The dominant development potential is strengthened or weakened by itsaccessibility and links with the broader development environment. Accessand functional linkages are described by:Road, rail and air linksThe mode of transport utilised by householdsThe accessibility of major towns as regional and local servicecentreThe functional service area of the urban core.4.2 RoadsA key feature and determinant of development in Umzinyathi is its locationbetween major corridors linking the coast and Gauteng and the north coastand Mpumalanga. It is located to an extent in an “economic no man’s land”with very few intervening opportunities that defines it as a destination initself. It is within a comfortable distance of major provincial nodes such asNewcastle, Ladysmith Vryheid, and Pietermaritzburg. The followingdistances apply:Distances to major centres (km)Major centreDistance fromDundeeDistance fromGreytownJohannesburg 375 470Durban 308 150Pietermaritzburg 230 73Newcastle 65 195Ladysmith 70 124Vryheid 73 199Richardsbaai 275 217Greytown 126Dundee 126The extent of roads and road coverage is important as well as the qualityand conditions of the roads. There is an estimated 2 701km of roads inUmzinyathi and 663km (25%) is tarred. Generally, the gravel roads outsidethe urban areas are in a good to fair condition. They are well maintainedthrough ongoing programmes of the Provincial Government. The R33between Dundee and Greytown is the most important regional link but itscondition varies. The road is generally not well maintained. The sectionthrough Tugela Ferry is in a very poor condition and dangerous. A lack ofstormwater management has washed away sections through the mountainthat will be very expensive to repair.4.3 RailwayThe development and extension of railway lines played an important rolein the history of the municipal area. Glencoe owns its existence to theconstruction of the main railway line between Johannesburg and Durban inthe 19 th century. A number of important railway lines affect the municipalareaDurban-Ladysmith-Volksrust (and beyond to Union in Gauteng)Glencoe-Dundee-Vryheid Main LinePietermaritzburg-Greytown-Kranskop Branch LineMount Alida Branch Line4.4 Air fieldsThere are licensed airports at Dundee and Greytown. Both have pavedrunways and both are registered with South African Civil AviationAuthority.Draft 2013/14 IDP Review Page 170Prepared by Umzinyathi District Municipality22 March 2013