Grahamstow n residents voiced their concerns about the development of the bus terminus and toilet block
at the intersection of High Street and Bathurst Street last week.
The meeting was held last Tuesday in the Commemoration Methodist Church hall.
Grahamstow n residents voiced their concerns about the development of the bus terminus and toilet block
at the intersection of High Street and Bathurst Street last week.
The meeting was held last Tuesday in the Commemoration Methodist Church hall.
The church and the hallare national monuments and members of the congregation are concerned about the impact that the construction of a bus terminus and toilet block would have on the church.
Architect Mark Wagner, who drew up the plans for the development, was invited to make a presentation but could not attend the meeting.
Advocate Jock McConnachie, member of the Commemoration Methodist Church property trust committee, said the point of having the architect there was to “attempt to allay whatever misgivings the church has on development in such close proximity to the church and it’s visual impact on the church”.
Wagner responded to Grocott’s Mail, saying: “It’s been a controversial project from the beginning. The church has a problem with the site of the terminus and is concerned with how the new building will interact with the church façade.”
Makana Municipality spokesperson Thandy Matebese said the toilets will be located underground to prevent “distorting the view” and to accommodate and preserve the architectural look of the vicinity.
“We don’t want a building two or three storeys high, it’s not going to be a huge structure,” Matebese said.
“Having public toilets and ensuring the safety of the people is more important than having nice buildings.
The structure would be in line with the architecture of the area, it would not be completely different from the rest of the buildings in the area.”
Jenny Shackleton, a Grahamstown resident who attended the presentation,said: “The view [of the church] shouldn’t be spoilt by the bus terminus and it’s a dangerous place to have a bus stop as there are so many people and cars.”
Matebese said because the Grahamstown bus stop was a pick up point, not a start or end point on the route, buses would not be stationed at the stop for long periods and it would not lead to traffic backups.
