Keep the Harrismith N3

Keep the Harrismith N3The proposed alternative would see the traffic stream bound for Johannesburg (Northbound) and the traffic stream bound for Durban (Southbound) divert at the slopes of 42nd Hill.

Southbound traffic would continue on the existing infrastructure N3 through the town of Harrismith.

Northbound traffic would divert on the new N3 section to the west of Harrismith.

These sections reconnect in the vicinity of Queenshill.

Keep the Harrismith N3This would ensure all traffic would retain access to existing services, stop-over complexes and companies.

Northbound trafficSouthbound traffic

Community proposed alternative

*Not exact realignment

Keep the Harrismith N3Keep the Harrismith N3 is a community based initiative to unify the community’s approach and grievances against the proposed realignment alternatives proposed by SANRAL and the N3TC.

The aim of this initiative is to gather the community under one umbrella, to create a strong, unified group to withstand the proposed alternatives.

Keep the Harrismith N3 asks that new alternatives must be looked into, which will be both environmentally acceptable, as well as economically responsible.

Keep the Harrismith N3The cause aims to prevent the established protest culture in South Africa from happening. These mass uprisings turn violent and can at times lead to innocent people being killed.

Harrismith was the first town in South Africa to organize a protest against poor service delivery. This protest ended in the death of a teenage boy.

Keep the Harrismith N3, proposes a new way to protest, one which is dignified, responsible and can potentially be more effective.

Keep the Harrismith N3Social interactions has long been ignored by high-level decision makers. But as communities become more and more interconnected, the power of social interaction can not be ignored.

At the base of this movement will be social media, visibility and a unified approach.

The community of Harrismith feels strongly that a decision to realign the N3 away from the town, would be irresponsible and illogical in light of government’s commitment to grow regional economies, especially those of smaller towns.

Keep the Harrismith N3The insert done by Carte Blanche about the possible realignment of the N3, is a wonderful example of social unification and underlines the power of social protest.

This cause would like to pursue the specific goals in order to prevent irresponsible spending of government money that neither complies with economic growth plans nor social upliftment commitments made by the government.

Keep the Harrismith N3Our goals:• The provision of online, up to date, accurate information regarding this project.-This has been established on harrismith.co but will be expanded as this cause progresses.

• Cooperating with local newspapers to further expand public knowledge on the proposed project.

• Interviewing interested and affected parties on their feelings about the proposed movement of the N3 and how it would affect them and their families.- continued

Keep the Harrismith N3Our goals:• Continued – These video interviews will be made available online – which could also serve as future material for follow up stories by Carte Blanche.

• Providing community members, companies, schools, etc. with branded Keep the Harrismith N3 t-shirts, to present a unified visual rejection to the proposed plans.

Keep the Harrismith N3Our goals:• Our endeavours can be expanded if found to be necessary, such as organizing interviews on regional radio stations, such as RSG, Radio 702 and SAfm

• Gathering a strong following by social media means

Keep the Harrismith N3Our request:• The discontinuation of current development plans to realign the N3 on any of the current proposed alternatives. Cutting the N3 through the slopes of Platberg is unfeasible and environmentally irresponsible.

• Requesting a new integrated development plan for the Greater Harrismith region, to incorporate provincial plans to situate Harrismith as an inland port, the proposed plans to build a $1-billion automobile factory and the realignment of the N3 in the vicinity of Harrismith. This IDP must include plans to situate Harrismith as a tourism hub for the Drakensberg mountains.

Keep the Harrismith N3Harrismith has so many opportunities, to build and expand economic welfare in the region, as well as to ensure social upliftment.

The community of Harrismith proposes a new unified planning approach, to ensure the town and it’s people can grow to it’s maximum potential.

SANRAL’s explanation that the Transportation industry will save up to R 100 million per year with the new alignment through De Beer’s pass, does not justify the R 600 million and more the Greater Harrismith community will lose.

Responsible decisions, should be global decisions not just in one sector or another.

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