MAKHADO (LOUIS TRICHARDT) – The negative impact of toll fees on tourism in the Limpopo Province and the necessity of an information campaign with regards to the ongoing problem of runaway heavy vehicles featured in discussions between local stakeholders and senior members of the South African Department of Transport last week.

The national delegation to a special meeting heard that the country’s poorest province is burdened with the most toll gates, with toll fees impacting negatively on the overall tourist trade in the province and causing a serious further handicap to struggling residents.

The delegation was also informed that more than 200 heavy vehicles with insufficiently trained drivers use the N1 road through the Soutpansberg mountain pass on a daily basis, causing a life-threatening situation.

The special meeting was arranged by the Soutpansberg Chamber of Commerce, between local stakeholders and a senior delegation from the National Department of Transport, consisting of Dr Wendy Watson, General Manager: Land Transport Regulation and Ms Johanna Mulaudzi, Manager: Infrastructure Planning and Co-ordination.

The dangerous situation caused by over-loaded and unroadworthy trucks’ using the mountain pass down the Soutpansberg mountain was discussed at length during the meeting.

The Chamber of Commerce, in an introductory memorandum, said that one of the main problems is that drivers are not properly trained. Drivers from neighbouring countries are not familiar with the dangers of the mountain pass and they seem to lose control because they apply brakes on the down-hill, in stead of selecting a lower gear on top of the mountain and then using the exhaust brake. Some of the drivers are not familiar with the local road signs and some are reluctant to use the available arrester bed (sand pit) for fear of losing control of the vehicle and its load.

During the meeting it was suggested, amongst other things, that the South African National Roads Agency, who is responsible for this road, should provide a brochure to all drivers at the Zimbabwean border, as part of an information campaign.

Several suggestions were put forward to improve the signage at the recently constructed circle, which replaces the previous four-way stop street.

Whilst the meeting appreciated the fact that the Waterpoort road is now allowed as alternative route for heavy vehicles, the farming community in the vicinity of Waterpoort requested that attention should be given to the problem of heavy vehicles which are randomly parked at night on the road surface. An investigation was requested into the condition of the Waterpoort road and the possible application of appropriate safe stopping areas on the shoulders of the road.