The Traffic issue

Traffic problems in Woodstock, and notably Roodebloem Road, have increased. These were discussed at the AGM in Feb 2008. Specific problems include: cars not stopping at pedestrian crossings, speeding in Roodebloem Rd, parking on pedestrian crossings (especially in front of Power Tools) and parking dangerously on corners.

UWRA has contacted Mr Frank Lock, who heads the Traffic Department for our area, on a number of occasions to enquire what the Traffic Department could do in our area. To date UWRA has received no sensible reply from Mr Lock. However, residents have noticed some activity from traffic officials very recently. The intervention has been minimal, and a far cry from what is actually required to address the behaviour that poses a genuine threat to safety.

Concerns are the increasing traffic flows through our area, along with the extra parking required by restaurant customers in Roodebloem Road, especially at night. Some people have even taken to parking in front of residents’ driveways and garages.

The Observatory Civic Association has presented a traffic management plan to Council and UWRA is contemplating if the same should be done for Woodstock. UWRA welcomes your suggestions on how to reduce traffic problems. Please post your thoughts here or send them to uwra@woodstock.org.za or PO Box 138, Woodstock, 7915.

Zoning and Building Regulations Enforcement Policy

Although UWRA has set up a  Woodstock Development Framework and residents in the area want to preserve the Heritage of Woodstock and the residential character of the area, we are continuously struggling with Council to enforce the rules and regulations, when these are contravened. See the Excite story for an example of this.

Council has now compiled a policy document with the aim to ensure that zoning and building regulations are adhered to throughout the city in the same way. The policy sets out what must be done by council officials should zoning and building regulations be broken.

UWRA welcomes the policy and the attempts by council to sort this matter out. However, we have one big concern, which we have brought to the attention of councillors and council officials on many occasions: the success of a policy like this depends heavily on the ability to enforce it.

At the moment Council is lacking this ability in a BIG way, simply because there is not enough staff to deal with contraventions. If Council is not going to employ more enforcement staff, this policy will fail and it might as well be thrown in the bin straight away.

Therefore UWRA again strongly urges the Council to appoint the appropriate numbers of enforcement staff. UWRA has submitted this comment to City Council.

 Zoning and Building Regulations Enforcement Policy

How can we make this site better?

I think our landing page needs some thought, and I suspect that there are a dozen other suggestions that could radically enhance things.

If you have thoughts on how the site can be improved, we’d love to hear from you. Either leave your comments here, or email uwra@woodstock.org.za.

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Woodstock Development Framework

Woodstock is a unique and special area. The reasons why people are attracted to Woodstock are the ideal mix of city and suburban living; the mixed community and the sense of community; and of course the historic and Victorian character of the area. 

Woodstock residents find that there is a constant threat from developers and City Council, who have not much regard for what Woodstock is all about. Woodstock is a heritage area and yet, historical facades and buildings are being destroyed. Undesirable businesses are allowed to operate from residential premises.

Therefore UWRA decided in 2007 to draw up a draft Development Framework to be submitted to Council. The principle of the Framework is that the residential and historic look and feel of Woodstock must be maintained, while encouraging revitalisation and development that supports the Woodstock community. 

UWRA drew up a draft Framework which was e-mailed to the community so that residents could comment and make suggestions. UWRA then collated all responses and drew up a final Draft Development Framework which was submitted to Council by late 2007.

City Council is currently setting up a new Integrated Development Plan and UWRA is involved in this process. The aim is to make the Woodstock Development Framework part of the Integrated Development Plan.

Woodstock Development Framework

Welcome to Woodstock

If you are new to the site or to Woodstock, here is some basic information:

  • If you are thinking of building or renovating, don’t hesitate to contact the Aesthetics Advisory Committee. They will provide you with invaluable direction. Also, look at the aesthetics section of the site here.
  • If you are new (welcome!), you might like check out the contact details of UWRA and other important organisations and the Heritage & Aesthetics section (see the links at the top).
  • To get your photos onto the site, go to Flickr.com, set up an account and upload some photos, tagging the as “Woodstock” and “Cape Town”.
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