Heritage Cases

The desirability for the proposed upgrade can be summarised as follows: • The lack of appropriate road infrastructure has a negative impact on overall service delivery. The improved standard of the road surface will add value to the various industries (agricultural, construction/ brick-making, commercial, tourism) relying on this road to transport their produce and goods; • An upgraded transport network reduces road user costs, costs of maintenance and capital costs; • Socio-economic benefits would include the expected provision of 275 employment opportunities for both skilled and unskilled staff to the value of R70 million, and an annual turnover to be generated as a result of the project, in excess of R 150 million; • It is anticipated that the majority of the unskilled labour will be sourced from the local communities; • The jobs created during the upgrading of the R335 will be short to medium term and associated with the design and construction phase of the development. However, the jobs created will leave behind a legacy of an up-skilled and trained work force that is able to trade their acquired new skills wherever opportunities arise; • Opportunity for local construction contractors and associated local community enterprises to gain temporary economic benefits from the construction phase; and • The upgrading of the R335, and associated establishment of the wildlife underpasses will protect road users and wildlife alike as the animals will no longer have to cross the R335 road but can instead use the underpasses for safe crossing.