Organisers of two of Cape Town''s biggest sporting events, the Cape Argus Cycle Tour (8 March) and the Two Oceans Marathon (11 April) have been waiting for news on whether the popular scenic drive of Chapman''s Peak will be opened for these two highlights on the Mother City''s 2009 calendar.
However, a spokesmen for the Department of Transport and Public Works told the Cape Times that Entilini still has to provide an estimate for the work that needs to be done (additional catch fences and barriers have to be erected, mesh needs to be draped over rocks) and after that the quote has to be verified by an independent engineer before any work can even be begun.
He said it should happen "in the next few days".
Seeing as Chappies has been closed since 20 June 2008 and to date nothing has been done this is not encouraging news.
However, the Two Ocean''s Marathon organisers are going ahead with plans as though the road will be available to them "until they are told otherwise", while the Argus Cycle Tour people are meeting with Premier Lynne Brown later in the week to discuss the matter further.
Some people I have spoken to who did the Argus over Ou Kaaps se Weg previously have said they will not participate if the route is set that way again this year.
As for the rest of us who live here, and all those thousands who visit Cape Town every year and are turned away from enjoying this most beautiful drive, who knows when we''ll get to drive that way again?
(Image: Jolene Bertoldi. All rights reserved)
