The City of Cape Town has proposed the permanent closure of a section of Buttskop Road in Blackheath as part of long-term plans to get rid of the Buttskop rail level crossing, which was the site of a tragic accident that claimed the lives of ten schoolchildren in 2010. 

A public participation process opened on Wednesday, inviting residents to provide input on the plans.  

The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Rob Quintas, said the proposal is part of broader plans to remove the level crossing, which has been a safety concern for some time.  

“The proposed changes will allow for a permanent solution, which will see a substantial increase in the overall safety for all road users in the area. The Buttskop rail level crossing has been the subject of several rail and road safety investigations in recent years due to the number of fatal crashes at this location,” said Quintas.  

The crossing gained national attention on 25 August 2010 when a scholar transport vehicle overtook stationary traffic at a closed boom and was struck by an oncoming train. Ten children were killed in the collision, while the driver survived. The incident prompted multiple safety investigations and calls for the crossing’s removal. 

Now, the City is considering an alternative to improve safety. 

“The proposed alternative solution included the construction of a single carriageway along the future declared N7 between Albert Philander Road and Van Riebeeck Road, with new signalised intersections at both roads and the construction of a bridge over the rail line,” read the City’s statement. 

In order to do this, the City intends to close a section of Buttskop Road from Trafford Road to Van Riebeeck Road, and part of Meadow Road in Black Heath, to enable the extension of the Zevenwacht Link Road between Van Riebeeck Road and Albert Philander Road. Trafford Road will also be extended, and a “road-over-road bridge” will be built.  

Quintas urged residents to participate in the consultation process.  

“We would appreciate the input from the community on these important plans.” 

Residents may submit comments on the proposal until 25 March 2026, with an upcoming public open day scheduled at the Blackheath Community Hall on 26 February. 

READ MORE: City of Cape Town – Calls for comments on closure of Buttskop Road, Blackheath