Preparations are underway for  the EcoMobility World Festival 2015 which  will take place in Sandton, Johannesburg in October 2015. During this time, festival events will take place at the weekends and limited road access will apply in certain areas.
“We are getting increasing questions about how to navigate Sandton during the festival,” says MMC Walters, MMC for Transport in the City of Johannesburg.
“While there will no place that will not be able to be accessed by private car, our message to Sandton residents and workers, is experiment with public transport and change the way you move,” she adds.
During the coming two weeks, all the public transport and alternative offerings will be publicised, along with the events that will be happening in October in Sandton to bring people on to their feet and bikes there.
The EcoMobility Festival precinct broadly comprises the following streets in the Sandton central business district (CBD); Rivonia Road, Fredman Drive; and Fifth Street. Within the EcoMobility Festival precinct vehicle movement will be managed or limited to create a pedestrian and cycling friendly environment.
Although vehicular access will be restricted, managed access (controlled by JMPD officers) will be permitted to all buildings and construction sites, ensuring that business operation, deliveries and construction continues as usual. People with disabilities will be given access and motorists are requested to be considerate of all road users, especially pedestrians and cyclists.
On West Street, the Gautrain Station internal drop-off/pickup facility and parking area will be accessible from Rivonia Road through managed access. For the section north of the Gautrain station, The Michael Angelo, 135 West, Sandown Clinic and Citibank (145 West), employees and visitors will be given access to their properties. Pedestrian conflict with the mentioned users will be controlled and managed by designated JMPD officer.
Corporate shuttle services will be given access, according to current routes. When vehicles exit the Gautrain Station, they will be required to turn south back towards Rivonia Road. All vehicles requiring access to the north side of West Street or Stella will need to enter West Street from the corner of Fredman and West.
Instead of travelling north on West Street, vehicles will have to use Rivonia Road or Fifth Street to travel around the EcoMobility Festival Precinct.
West Street Southbound (from Fredman to Rivonia) will only be accessible via the JMPD controlled intersection at Fredman and West. This is also the only means to access the east portion of Maude Street, which will operate as a one-way eastbound (from West to Rivonia) only and will therefore be closed to westbound at Rivonia Road.
To access a destination south of Maude Street on West Street, return northbound on West Street down the two way street operating behind hoarding separating it from the Eco-Mobility Street, then preferably turn right into Maude Street east to exit on Rivonia Road.
Gwen Lane will be fully accessible during weekdays from Fredman Drive only and will operate as a cul-de-sac at Maude Street (no throughway).
Alice Lane will be fully accessible during weekdays from Fifth Street only and will operate as a cul-de-sac with a turnaround facility at the intersection with West Street.
Maude Street (West) between Fifth Street and West Street will be fully accessible during weekdays from Fifth Street only and will operate as a cul-de-sac with a turnaround facility at the break in the median at the Garden Court Hotel entrance.
Stella Street will only be accessible via the intersection of West and Fredman with a northbound exit via the right turn onto Maude Street East.
Maude Street (East) will only be accessible via the intersection of West and Fredman or from Stella Street with an eastbound exit onto Rivonia Road only.
Freight and delivery services are encouraged to provide their services outside morning and afternoon peak periods and after hours. Delivery vehicles are subject to the same restrictions as described for the streets above. The City would like to encourage the usage of smaller freight vehicles as far as possible.
Corporate shuttle services will be given access to the Gautrain station internal drop-off/pickup facility as is the case at present. When corporate shuttle services exit the Gautrain Station, they will have to turn south back towards Rivonia Road. All corporate shuttles dropping customers on the North side of West Street or Stella will have to enter West Street from the corner of Fredman and West.
Shuttles that used to use West Street to travel north will have to exit on to Rivonia Road and travel around anti-clockwise in the public transport dedicated loop. Corporate shuttles will be allowed to use the public transport lane if their occupancy is at least eight persons or more. It should be noted that the use of public transport loop is not compulsory. Corporate shuttles can choose to travel clockwise via Rivonia, Fifth Street, and Fredman Drive, or use the mixed traffic lane in the other direction.
People with disabilities will still be able to access their parking areas and the Gautrain Station is accessible to people with disabilities.