There has been a fair amount of discussion on social regarding the barriers that FOSTER has erected along the walkways on the Wildside. here is one readers view.
“I am shocked and most disappointed with the barriers which FOSTER constructed in the pathway on the Wild Side in Cape St Francis. My reasons are as follows:
The St Francis Area is amongst other things advertised as a tourist destination and one of the attractions is “ A Walk On The Wild Side”. As a result of these barriers a walk on the wild side has now become an obstacle course with distracting human intrusion in nature. Also, one cannot walk there without risking injury.
These barriers create an unwelcoming atmosphere and are an insult to residents as well as tourists. Cyclists are treated as naughty children and in the process the hikers and runners are punished as well. Surely the average person enjoying his/her outdoor exercise in this beautiful area, is able to read and understand the signs used for indicating different types of routes.
Extreme measures such as these are totally unwarranted and could even have a negative effect on tourism to Cape St Francis and possible new buyers of property. It creates an unfriendly impression and testifies a relentless attitude towards cyclists and hikers to such an extent that everyone using these pathways is adversely affected. Surely this will affect property prices negatively.
May I ask: What is behind this? Will the other nature reserves such as the Irma Booysen Reserve where different pathways are designated for cyclists and hikers be treated in a similar way in future?
My request is that the barriers are removed completely.
Until then of course my contribution to FOSTER stops here.”
Concerned resident
I completely support this – these paths have been shared by walkers, runners, cyclists for the past 30 years. What has been done here is ridiculous and should be removed.
I have 2 questions:
1. What is the authority/jurisdiction of FOSTER to erect these barriers and prevent public access to what is considered by all of us “users” to be public space?
2. Is there a record of a properly constituted & convened meeting of FOSTER members at which it was resolved to erect the barriers in order to prevent public access to a pathway that has existed for many, many years.
It’s become an obstacle course and very difficult for the elderly to walk on!
Walking along this wonderful path now spoilt – very disappointing to see these extreme measures
“Cyclists are treated as naughty children” because they act like naughty children by ignoring signage requesting them not to cycle there.
I totally agree with this . the apparent excuse given to restore nature is totally unfounded as there were cement poured and the path is in anyway NOT natural as Foster did it.
in Future I will also not contribute to their cause.
If anything is to be erected on public open space should the work not go out to tender? Who is in charge of giving out the contracts? Always the same crew employed by FOSTER.
I walk on that path almost on a daily basis, with two dogs on leashes. The barriers are a problem but fortunately I am tall and can get over them without too much trouble. I am also still active enough to leopard crawl underneath the tree trunk. I do however agree that it must be difficult for older people. BUT I am a Geography teacher and I agree with and understand the importance of sustainable conservation of especially wetlands and our very special vegetation. I have also had first hand experience in the last month of cyclists ignoring reasonable requests and carrying on using that path despite the obstacles. It is about 800m we are talking about. Yes we have human rights but nature also have a right. Let’s stop the fighting and rather support the effort and if it means the cyclists must change their route to go around this 800m section then so be it. Then the barriers van be removed and the walkers can walk
With respect to the arguments on all sides and especially the need to separate cyclists and pedestrians/runners, the point I make is much simpler. The barriers as presently constructed are virtually impossible for older people to traverse and must be modified or removed.
Foster please don’t be disheartened by these negative people who probably don’t contribute to the funds but are usually the first to moan. Thank you for the hard work that you do to keep the paths in such a good condition.