Proposed formalisation / construction of a stormwater channel between km 0.00 and km 2.35 along OP4044, Baardskeerdersbos, Western Cape.

PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT

Guillaume Nel Environmental Consultants (GNEC) has been appointed by Lyners Engineering (Pty) Ltd., on behalf of the Western Cape Department of Infrastructure to compile and submit a Notice of Intent to Develop (NID) application in terms of Section 38 of the National Heritage Act, 1999 (Act No. 38 of 1999) for the proposed formalisation of a stormwater channel associated with “Ondergeskikte Pad” (OP) 4044 near Baardskeerdersbos, Western Cape (hereafter referred to as the proposed site).

The proposed site is located outside the town of Baardskeerdersbos in the Overstrand Municipal area of jurisdiction. The proposed site is currently an existing gravel road. OP4044 is mainly used for agricultural purposes, primarily mixed-farming practices including grain production, vineyards, orchards and livestock farming. Minor Road 4044 is located approximately 0.85 km from Baardskeerdersbos in the direction of Elim. This section of the road stretches from km 0.00 to km 2.35. The entire length of the road runs parallel to a stream draining the adjacent hills and farmland. The stream is generally very close to the road and in some areas the stream runs in the road reserve. The width of the road is approximately 5.0m to 5.5m.

The proposed development will result in the formalisation of a stormwater channel situated along and North of OP4044. It should be noted that there is no existing stormwater channel situated on the site and the project forms part of flood damage repairs.
The proposed development will result in the formalisation of a stormwater channel situated along OP4044. It should be noted that there is no existing stormwater channel situated on the site and the project forms part of flood damage repairs.

Key observations from the site inspection of this road segment include:
• The road and culverts were completely washed away by the recent flood;
• As a temporary measure, the District Municipality rebuilt the road as a single-lane track, where vehicles must slow down and use the sloped edges near a newly dug side drain to pass one another;
• The road follows a stream that drains nearby hills and farmland, staying very close to the road alignment. In some sections, the stream flows within the road reserve;
• In several areas, the road surface sits lower than the surrounding natural terrain, complicating efforts to divert water away from it;
• To manage regular and potential floodwater flow, the District Municipality hastily dug deep roadside drains along the entire stretch. These emergency excavations were not properly shaped, and some sections are already beginning to erode or collapse;
• Since the level of the road is lower than the surrounding natural ground level, it follows that the invert level of the side drains is much lower than the surrounding natural ground level. This makes it difficult to transfer the water in the side drains away from the road;
• The District Municipality constructed a number of pipe crossings to take the water from the right-hand side drain to the left-hand side where the stream is flowing;
• No in- or outlet structures have been constructed that any of these pipe crossings;
• There is a significant number of camp accesses along the road of which only a limited number have pipe crossings. The sizes of these pipes generally appear to be too small to carry the required volume of water. They also do not have any in- or outlet structures;
• Some of the pipe culverts are silted up;
• The District Municipality confirmed that there are sections of the road where the road reserve width does not comply with the Western Cape Government Standards. The narrow road reserve width could therefore restrict the size of formalised side drains;
• Danger plates are not installed at the prescribed positions where culverts are situated.

OP4044 Location: 34°35'3.04"S 19°35'21.89"E

The proposed scope of works on this road is as follows:
• Raise the level of the existing road where necessary to accommodate the side drain and to transfer the water away from the road where possible;
• Reconstruct the road pavement layers (gravel wearing course). It is proposed that the width of the road is approximately 6.80m wide. This is to allow for two lanes, one in each direction, each 3.40m wide.
• Excavate and shape the unlined side drain on the right-hand-side of the road along the entire length of the road;
• Construct a concrete lined side drain on the left-hand-side of the road along its entire length, capable of accommodating the appropriate design flood frequency;
• Install pipe culverts at accesses crossing the side drains;
• Install pipe culverts across the road from the unlined drain to the lined drain. This will not only reduce the volume of water in the unlined channel, but also its velocity, thereby limiting erosion and eliminating the need for a lined drain on the right-hand side.
• Construct in- and outlet structures at all pipe culverts.
The vegetation in the area is mapped as Elim Ferricrete Fynbos which is classified as an Endangered vegetation type according to the NEMBA (Act No. 10 of 2004) - The Revised National List of Threatened Terrestrial Ecosystems, Government Gazette No. 2747 – as amended, 18 November 2022.
The Elim Ferricrete Fynbos is a unique and localized vegetation type which can be characterized by nutrient-poor, iron-rich ferricrete soils and a mix of hard-leaved shrubs, restios, and proteas. The vegetation supports a high number of endemic and rare plant species.
It should be noted that the proposed site is not located in close proximity to a graveyard and the proposed works will not have an impact on any graveyards. It should also be noted that no trees are proposed to be removed as part of the project proposal. It is therefore not expected that the proposed works will have a negative impact on heritage resources. It is important to note that the proposed works will take place on an already disturbed site.