The City of Cape Town wants to close down some roads in Athlone. It now wants members of the public to submit their comments about this. The reasons for the closures are to discourage rat running. At the same time, it’s also to discourage the transference of unnecessary traffic to one of the roads.

City shutting down rat running in Athlone

The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Rob Quintas says operations are primarily to improve traffic safety and free up traffic flow.

The roads affected are:

(1) Klipfontein Service Road between Thornton and Eagle Street.

(2) East Street between Klipfontein Service Road and South Avenue.

City wants to close sections of 2 roads in Athlone

Quintas says the Urban Mobility Directorate has recommended that the section of Klipfontein Service Road between Thornton Road and Eagle Road be closed off permanently. This would be to discourage rat running along Klipfontein Service. At the same time, it will help free up traffic flow. This will be at the Thornton Road, Klipfontein Service Road and North Link Road intersection.

“Planning and network management proposals such as these all contribute to our efforts to keep Cape Town moving,” said Quintas.

 

City needs the input of local communities

Community members are invited to attend an information session on Wednesday, 22 July 2026 from 15:00-19:00. This will be an opportunity for them, to give their input on the proposed changes. It will be held at the Gleemoor Baptist Church Hall. The hall is located at 38 Simon’s Road in Sunnyside, Athlone. Quintas says residents will have direct access to the relevant City officials to ask questions, for further insight on the proposals being worked on.

City information session on Wednesday, 22 July 2026

Quintas said “In addition to the closure of Klipfontein Service Road between Thornton Road and Eagle Road, the team has proposed the closure of East Street.” He says this is to discourage the transference of unnecessary traffic to South Avenue.

“We really encourage residents to submit their comments before 3 August 2026 for consideration,” he concluded.