The picturesque Hemel-en-Aarde region is on the road to recovery, with Western Cape Provincial Minister of Infrastructure and Overstrand's Executive Mayor, Dr. Annelie Rabie, personally inspecting the ongoing restoration efforts. This serene area was marred by catastrophic floods on September 25th, which wreaked havoc on critical road infrastructure, particularly the Hemel-en-Aarde road.

As it stands, the road remains inaccessible for traffic, cutting off a vital link between Caledon and Hermanus. Nevertheless, dedicated construction teams are tirelessly toiling to establish a temporary one-way lane, paving the way for safe passage once again. The future management of traffic on this route will involve stop-and-go procedures, all aimed at getting the road operational before the festive season commences.

During the peak of the devastating floods, the Overberg District Municipality grappled with the closure of a staggering 68 roads. Thanks to focused efforts, this number has now been significantly reduced to just 18. Minister Simmers and Mayor Rabie have not only toured the affected area but also engaged with local business proprietors to offer insights into the restoration project's progress.

Sean Tager, owner of the Haygrove company, expressed gratitude for the government's transparency in addressing the complications surrounding the Hemel-en-Aarde road's repair. He said, "As affected business owners in the region, we are grateful to the government for meeting with us and providing an update with clear guidelines as to the complications of repairing the Hemel-en-Aarde road. We are now clear on what to expect and are grateful for their transparency."

Mayor Rabie conveyed her encouragement at the site's developments, praising the dedication and pace of the construction and roadworks. She commented, "I am encouraged by what we saw here today and the efforts the Western Cape Government continues to give to ensure that the road can be reopened under safe conditions for our road users. I also want to extend a word of thanks to the Minister for making the time to meet with our local business owners."

Optimism runs high in Minister Simmers' assessment as he declared, "I am optimistic that soon this essential road passage will onceagain be operational and accessible to road users." The diligent work involved in evaluating damages and engineering solutions is well underway to prevent any future recurrence.

However, patience remains a virtue for road users, with Minister Simmers urging strict adherence to traffic signage once the road reopens under stop-and-go traffic control. He also lauded the local business community for their understanding and valuable input on the ongoing process.

Details regarding the reopening of the road will be communicated closer to the time, while the Karwyderskraal road currently serves as an alternative route. Road users are reminded to use this route responsibly, especially given the increased traffic load. Safe driving practices, such as switching on headlights, reducing speed, and maintaining proper following distances, are strongly recommended to ensure a smooth and secure journey. Ongoing maintenance efforts on this alternative route are in place to keep itin optimal condition, and road users are requested to remain patient and vigilant during these works.

‍