Tourism applauds Grey Street plans

Update

KNYSNA NEWS - Knysna Tourism vice chairperson Albert Lombaard says the board is very excited about the plans to upgrade Grey Street.

“As the main link between town and the Waterfront, the area definitely lends itself to a pedestrian walkway,” he believes.

“Closing the road off to traffic and making it attractive for pedestrians will encourage tourists as well as the local community to shop there and will help to uplift the areas between Rawson Street and the Main Road and further up Grey Street.

"We are always excited with plans to upgrade roads and develop areas that are safe for tourists and locals to walk freely by day and night to restaurants, pubs, and coffee shops, and to do their shopping.

"It’s all part of improving the Knysna experience and contributes to the appeal of our town.”

• A meeting open to the public and hosted by the municipality in conjunction with appointed architects CMAI was held at the Log Inn Hotel on Wednesday 21 February. It was well attended by more than 50 people, to give input into the concept phase of the municipality's Grey Street Renewal Project.

Key elements of the current concept phase revolve around creating a pedestrian-friendly street, significantly reducing taxi and traffic congestion, and allowing for more parking bays.

CMAI representatives advised that a traffic engineer was yet to be appointed and a traffic impact study would be conducted ahead of final construction plans.

The idea of closing off traffic was not supported by the majority of business owners, who expressed concern regarding parking for customers and delivery vehicles.

One suggestion was the erection of bollards (sturdy, short, vertical posts), which would be placed only during evenings, to allow for a pedestrian-only walkway. This suggestion was noted by the municipality and CMAI, who said that this possibly would be explored upon completion of a traffic study.