Transnet replies to Tambo Springs criticism

Following an FTW report
that highlighted criticism
of the lack of detail in
Transnet’s masterplans for
its proposed inland container
terminal in Tambo Springs,
East of Johannesburg
(Transnet’s ‘cunning’ scheme
‘impossible’ FTW July 1,
2016), the parastatal has
insisted that all the necessary
legal and administrative
processes and development
approvals are in place.
Transnet spokesman,
Molatwane Likhethe, said
Transnet was able to fulfil
the minimum requirements
that had to be met before a
request for proposals (RFP)
could be issued.
“Regarding the
realignment of the PWV13
road,” Likhethe added,
“this has been addressed
as part of the overall town
planning/rezoning approval
process and other applicable
legislative requirements as
part of the process to secure
the formal realignment.”
He also noted that
Transnet plans were to run
50-wagon trains initially, and
to increase this to 75-wagon
trains. This being subject
to customer requirements
based on prevailing economic
conditions.
“This
technical
specification
is premised
on what is
appropriate for
the operation of
the terminal,”
he told FTW,
“as well as
existing current
specification
of the rail
infrastructure
on the proposed feeder
corridors and current
economic conditions.”
This development,
according to Likhethe,
was part of Transnet’s
plans to ensure that
capacity was created ahead
of validated demand.
Property developer Francois
Nortje has continued to
question whether all the
processes that need to be
implemented have been fully
followed, with many questions
unanswered in his view.
Of these, he told FTW, the
EIA was the
most difficult,
because this
new road
alignment
went deep
into a serious
flood-line. “The
applicant would
have to have
the detailed
design of the
road before the
EIA could be
done,” he said.
“The detail in the design will
determine the extent of the
flooding it will cause to the
houses on the other side of the
river. Then only could an EIA
process begin.”
For a more detailed
version of this article go to
www.ftwonline.co.za
INSERT
Transnet plans are
to run 50-wagon
trains initially, and
to increase this to
75-wagon trains.
– Molatwane Likhethe