Page 26 - KBHA BULLETIN 5

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Level Road, Kalk Bay. (Wynberg Times 2/8/1902.) It may therefore be that the road that bears

his name, Gatesville Road, was at that time regarded as part of a future high level road, or it may
have been today’s Duignam Road.

Two years on there is a reference to what was to become an associated idea (Wynberg Times

30/4/1904):

Mountain Paths
A petition was read from Canon Brooke and others suggesting that part of the proceeds of sale of
Municipal land sold be devoted to the construction of mountain paths, one of which it was
proposed should be made commencing at the Public School, Muizenberg and up through the
Gorge to the summit, and another at Kalk Bay to lead on to the plateau, a spot very much
frequented by parties.
Councillor Gourlay said he was in entire sympathy with the movement but there were more
important matters requiring funds now coming to hand. He thought the question should come up
when the estimates were framed. It was resolved accordingly.

The more important matter to which reference was being made was the Municipal Drainage
Scheme which was, with great difficulty, being cut into bedrock and consequently becoming a

very lengthy and costly municipal project. In fact it was nearly bankrupting the KB-MM.
Consequently, in 1904 only £1-16-2 was spent on the HLR. (Mayor’s Minute 30/6/1904.) And a

year later it was confirmed that any construction was to be delayed until progress with the
drainage scheme was more advanced. (Wynberg Times 1/4/05.)

So, during the life of the KB-MM an intention was expressed and a nominal route was identified
but financial considerations prevented any construction work. However, during the following

decade the idea of a high level road was sustained by a combination of events and personalities.

Era 2: Early plans and first beginnings 1913 - 1923

th
During the early decades of the 20 century there were two important movements in Cape Town
which provided the impetus for road construction.

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