Residents question safety of Colorado bridge despite upgrades

Residents of Colorado Park are frustrated by the recent Colorado Bridge Project, having long raised concerns that the bridge has facilitated crime in the area. 

Since it was last vandalised in 2023, work has progressed, including the installation of guardrails at the beginning of October, aimed at keeping pedestrians safe while crossing.

However, many residents feel the improvements address safety only superficially.

The bridge, which connects Colorado Park with Samora Machel and Kosovo areas and serves both vehicular and pedestrian traffic, has historically been a crime hotspot (“Weltevreden Parkway bridge vandalised, used as getaway by criminals” Plainsman June 15).

Criminals have used it to escape after robberies, and vandalism—including theft of metal, cars, and break-ins while residents are at home in the morning—has made it unsafe in the past, said Jenny Daniels, vice-chairwoman of the Colorado Residents’ and Ratepayers’ Association (CRRA).

Ward 75 councillor Joan Woodman said a motion she tabled highlighted safety concerns. While steel barriers are being replaced with concrete, the project does not fully address hijackings, frequent robberies, and stones being thrown at motorists and nearby homes along the R300.

“The bridge’s safety requires a whole-of-society approach, including patrols and monitoring by city-wide security,” she said, urging a protective cage to safeguard residents and road users.

“Residents do not support the bridge in its current form. We wanted a pedestrian-only footbridge to stop criminals," Ms Daniels said.

"Elders have been robbed, and young people are at risk. Low-quality fences behind Washington Drive Primary School were easily bypassed, too. The City calls this progress, but for us, it only enables crime and trauma,” she said.

Xolani Joja, spokesperson for the Samora Machel Community Police Forum (CPF), said the community appreciates the bridge upgrades, as the structure had been at risk of collapse. “We visited the bridge last year and understand that crime is a concern. The criminals are creating the problems, not the community.” 

“We do not want to divide communities by race or culture; we must unite. While motorists are generally safe, pedestrians need protection. We support interventions that promote unity and safety for all residents,” he said.

Lentegeur police spokesperson Constable Navon van Houten said that while complaints about crime at the bridge have been received, no formal robbery cases have been reported.

The City of Cape Town confirmed the bridge is not a City-owned asset, with the Provincial Government of the Western Cape overseeing the works.

Melt Botes, spokesperson for the Department of Infrastructure, said the existing concrete balustrades are being replaced to improve pedestrian safety.

“This was a once-off public interest intervention and does not indicate ownership,” he said. The upgraded bridge is open, with completion expected by the month’s end.

Provincial MEC of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Anroux Marais, said persistent crime and gang violence affect Mitchell’s Plain.

The Western Cape Government is deploying LEAP officers to hotspots with SAPS and engaging community leaders to advance the Mitchells Plain Safety and Development Plan (“Mitchell’s Plain safety and development plan: proposed budget submitted for approval” Plainsman October 27). 

Ms Marais urged residents to stay vigilant, report suspicious activity, and support efforts to make communities safer.