We have until midnight tonight to email the municipality using our straightforward template to oppose more parking. We must urge them to adhere to their previously passed policies and to reconsider this very premature "feasibility" study.
Please consider taking 3 minutes out of your time today to help with the following:
- Write to Stellenbosch Municipality, using our template.
- Share our blog post or share our petition.
- Sign our letter that will go out later today.
- Repeat the 3 above steps.
What others have been saying?
We have been blown away by your support. Some stats we can share:
Over 800 signatures. 15 paid promoters. ZAR 2,447 contributed. 19,220 purchase views. Over 30 emails using our template. And many, many social media shares and comments.
Not only is people sharing our call but they are making their voice heard. Here what people are saying:
That will add to the problem, not the solution. Please make a regular, reliable shuttle service / safe transport available and create safe parking ouside Stellenbosch. Stellenbosch's tourists will stay away if they cannot get into this beautiful old town. - Katin Huyssen
Indeed, it is not the solution. The Municipality needs to ensure that any budgeted work strictly aligns with their own approved policies from the MSDF, Adam Tas LSDF Corridor, CITP, and NMT Master Plan, which this plan does not follow. This approach is very inappropriate and a waste of taxpayers' money, especially considering the cuts to government spending and our constant hearing that there is no money for NMT (Non-Motorized Transport).
Stellenbosch can become a model for NMT solutions in SA. We should not miss the opportunity to be ahead of other municipalities. Additional parking spaces in CBD will restrict our future option. - Florian Bauer
This is indeed correct. They have the biggest opportunity to become South Africa's first town that truly puts people first, establishes a car-free zone, and increases the modal split. We are here to meet and collaborate with the municipality and private sector to make this happen.
The traffic is already a huge problem, this amount of parking space will just make it worse. Rather change the town to a more pedestrian and cycle friendly space. Use the money to make it saver and more people friendly for tourists and students and recidents. The economy of Stellenbosch relies on that. - Emmerie Nell
Yes, yes, and yes. Our alternative is purely for economic reasons. Countless pieces of evidence have shown that people make local businesses thrive, not cars. Allocating more land-use space to cars will not only increase congestion but kill the local economy.
So, there you have it.
Please email the municipality by midnight tonight. Please consider contributing to becoming a YU member (free and open to all ages) and joining our Stellies Chapter for those who are getting behind this from the drop or varsity.
Yours in greener, saver and people-first streets,
Roland Postma, Sindile Mavundla and Friends