Page 23 - Bulletin 17 2013

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Willliam Delbridge & Co. It was opened by the Minister of Railways and Harbours, the

Hon. Henry Burton, at a gala occasion on the afternoon of 7 June 1913. (Fig. 1.21.) The
SAR & H, by this time, eager to promote both use of the railway and to support local

resorts, offered special holiday trains at reduced rates and these brought hundreds of
trippers to Muizenberg. In sum: all the elements necessary for resort success were now to

be found here in close proximity: beach, pavilion, station, and accommodations.

Almost concurrently, shortly after the Municipal Amalgamation in September 1913, the

City of Cape Town instructed Mr Piercy (Resident Engineer at Adderley Street Pier) to
report on the development of the beach and foreshore between Muizenberg – Kalk Bay

and Zandvlei. In April 1914 he proposed an ambitious scheme costing £78,000 in which

all the Brighton elements came to the fore: (SAR & H Mag., 1914: 596-7 & Fig. 1.22.)

 A hard promenade with shelters, seats and lamps built on a sea-wall extending
from the Zandvlei mouth to the station, with later extension to Kalk Bay.

 A pier leading off it at Baileys Corner extending about 300 m into the sea from a

circus and terminating in a ‘platform’ about 120 m long.
 A new pavilion 150 m long standing not more than 100 m east of the existing one

but set further back from the HWM. It was to contain tea and refreshment rooms,
clubroom, bathing cabins and sheltered promenades making it attractive in all

seasons. Bathing cabins were to extend along the beach from it and parking for

300 cars was to be provided close by.
 A deep water bathing pool opposite the station together with a children’s paddling

pool.

 Public sport - recreation areas and gardens laid out on the 6 acres of sheltered
waste-ground between the promenade and Beach Road.

 Zandvlei to be developed by dredging, building a promenade along its banks, and

a boat harbour with clubhouse in the vicinity of False Bay station.
 Bridges over the railway line at the north end near the municipal stables and at the

south end opposite The Fort (future Labia mansion) to provide improved access to