Paid Joburg parking considered

Over two dozen areas in Johannesburg are being assessed for the possible introduction of paid parking schemes, the City of Johannesburg said on Monday.

"The transport department is doing an audit of 26 small nodes to work out how these nodes can be made more accessible and friendly from a perspective of public transport users, private car users, pedestrians, and cyclists," said municipal spokesman Nthatisi Modingoane.

Modingoane said the audit would also investigate how street parking, zebra crossings, and delivery areas could best be accommodated.

"Within this context, the introduction of paid parking is only one possible measure."

The areas being assessed are spread throughout the city and include Alexandra, Cyrildene, Midrand, Lenasia, Randburg, Roodepoort, Norwood, Melville, and Rosebank.

Pan Africa, Bellevue, Yeoville, Mayfair, Jabulani, Florida, Rosettenville, Emmarentia, Birnam, Illovo, Parkview, Fordsburg, Greenside, Linden, Rivonia, Craighall Park, and Northcliff are also under scrutiny.

Freight management in central Johannesburg would also be assessed.

Modingoane said the audit had already started and was expected to be completed by June this year.

The audit process would map the existing provisions for on- and off-street parking and delivery zones in the areas.

A report would then be drawn up and various consultations would follow before plans were finalised.

In May last year, paid parking schemes in Braamfontein, central Johannesburg, and Parkhurst were criticised by members of the public.

Parkhurst Village Residents' Association chairwoman Cheryl Labuschagne, said government had not communicated with residents of the area about the implementation.

"I have not heard a positive comment about it at all," she said at the time.