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Yesterday was a proud day for me.  After many months of work on my Private Members Bill, I wrote to the Speaker of Parliament yesterday requesting her that my Bill be tabled in Parliament and referred to the Transport Portfolio Committee. 

My Bill addresses the public outcry which arose as a result of the implementation of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project, commonly known as e-tolls.

The manner in which the public consultation process was conducted on this project was clearly not satisfactory.  The experiences in Gauteng and the Western Cape show that there is a need to strengthen consultation with the Premier of a Province and the Municipal Council wherein a road to be tolled lies. 

If my Bill passes, a majority vote would required in favour of any proposed toll road in the relevant provincial legislature.

The experience in Gauteng demonstrates that for every toll road, an alternative road should’ve been established and continuously maintained so as to allow those who may not be able to afford the tolls to have an alternative option.

This Bill make this proposal.  What this Bill seeks to do is place further checks and balances on the declaration of a toll road. It ensures that the general public is not further financially burdened with the declaration of a toll road by ensuring an alternative and affordable route is available.

The Bill proposes that SANRAL (South African National Roads Agency Limited) in co-operation with the Province and the municipalities concerned undertake socio-economic; environmental and traffic impact assessments in the first instance.

I believe that this Bill would ensure that any future e-tolls would be done with proper public consultation and engagement so that the mistakes of the past are not repeated.

Issued by DA