This emerged after a meeting on Thursday between the department, Murray & Roberts, toll operator Entilini and the Civil Rights Action Group (Crag), said the Cape Times newspaper on Friday

The meeting was called after weeks of fierce opposition to the development from residents and civil groups. The R54 million development includes a two-storey office building for Entilini.

Construction was temporarily suspended on Wednesday amid safety concerns after two women chained themselves to the scaffolding at the site.

At the meeting, Crag proposed alternative tolling systems, with parties agreeing to explore other options but not halting construction.

Crag is proposing a more modern and cheaper tolling method and that property in Hout Bay be used to build Entilini's offices.

After the meeting, Terry Wyner from Crag told the Cape Times that if the parties were ready to enter more detailed discussions on other tolling methods then Crag would investigate simple and cost-effective methods used in other countries.

The talks were productive, he said.

“We were given plenty of time to put our thoughts across and some of the questions they asked us were very important, such as how much our alternative tolling methods would cost.”