The Western Cape High Court will hear an urgent interdict against the planned toll roads for the province on May 16. The City of Cape Town has brought the application to prevent the South African National Roads Agency Ltd (Sanral) from going ahead with the implementation of the proposed N1-N2 Winelands Toll Highway Project. According to the City, Sanral failed to honour an undertaking that it would not proceed with the project until a full review had been completed. “In a letter from Sanral, dated March 6, we were given 45 days’ notice before resumption of the toll project, which is why we brought an urgent application,” Brett Herron, Cape Town mayoral committee member for transport, roads and storm water, told FTW. Herron said to date the City had been unable to complete the review of the toll project, which was instituted in the same High Court in March last year, because Sanral had refused to provide them with a complete record of relevant documents – including how much the project would cost and what toll fees would likely be levied. “As a consequence of Sanral’s refusal to provide a complete record of documents, the City has also brought an application to compel Sanral to disclose them. This application was instituted against Sanral on March 1 this year,” said Herron. “We have been advised by the acting Judge President that this matter will be heard at the same time as the City’s urgent interdict application to halt the toll project.” But Sanral’s spokesman, Vusi Mona, said Herron’s comments could best be described as mischievous as Sanral was committed to working with the City on the toll project.
