“Winter is Coming” is the motto of House Stark, in the television series Game of Thrones. The meaning behind these words is one of warning and constant vigilance. With the onset of winter and harsher weather conditions, the risk of rock falls and road closures on Chapman’s Peak Drive are likely to increase.
Away from medieval fantasy, it is the month of May in Cape Town, which is autumn. It’s a beautiful time of year with magnificent sunrises and sunsets, some crisp clear days and some colder, cozier ones that demand wrapping up more warmly. However this year the words of warning and constant vigilance are of particular importance.
As all Capetonians and many of our visitors now know, there was a massive wildfire on the mountains of the south peninsula in March 2015. As a result, the slopes of Chapman’s Peak were severely burnt and much of the vegetation destroyed. This lack of vegetation makes the slopes of Chapman’s Peak Drive unstable.
With the onset of winter and harsher weather conditions, such as heavy rain and high winds, the risk of rock falls increases. There are four levels of rock falls. Level four represents the highest risk, which demands immediate closure. Chapman’s Peak Drive is responsible for the safety of road users. It is going to be a long winter of managing and controlling access to the drive while the vegetation grows. Visibility (fog and mist) can also be causal factors for road closure.
Chapman’s Peak Drive warns that there are likely to be more toll road closures this winter. We ask for road users to be aware and tolerant of potential road closures. These road closures are not for your inconvenience… only your safety. Please bear with us and be patient this winter. We don’t want a four-year road closure as happened after the last major fire on Chapman’s Peak Drive in 2000.
Please be reminded that access is restricted due to the volatile conditions for potential rock falls after the devastating fires. Sadly NO cyclists, runners or pedestrians will be allowed between the top Look-Out & Viewing Point and the Noordhoek Gate, on the southern side, due to to the risk of rock falls. Flagmen will be stationed along points to control the users. “We appeal to all to adhere to these conditions for their own safety”.
Chapman’s Peak Drive is working hard to manage and control road closures this winter and taking as many preventative measures as possible to keep the drive safely open this winter. Please follow us on our social media channels (Facebook and Twitter) to keep up to date with notifications of any Road Closures.
Chapman’s Peak Drive Toll Plaza Office Hours:
The Toll Plaza is open Monday – Friday from 08h00 - 16h30 for registration as a Frequent User.
Address: Toll Plaza, Chapman’s Peak Drive, Hout Bay, Cape Town
Plaza Tel: 021 791 8220
