Cape Town: The Coastal Management branch of the City of Cape Town in partnership with the Roads Infrastructure Management Department is busy with a pilot project to mitigate the impact of windblown sand on Baden Powell Drive, at Sandy Corner, close to Monwabisi. The work started on Monday, February 02, 2026 and should be concluded by next week, if all goes as planned.
Every year, during the windy summer months, a section of Baden Powell Drive known as Sandy Corner, is severely impacted by the strong south-east winds that blow sand from the local dune system onto the road. This requires continuous maintenance in the interest of road safety and to protect the asset from being swallowed by the dune system.
This year, the Coastal Management branch of the city in partnership with the Roads Infrastructure Management (RIM) Department embarked on a pilot project to test the efficiency of brushwood and straw in trapping the sand on the dune, and to assist in stabilising the dune system at Sandy Corner. This is in addition to the re-profiling of the dune.
Deputy Mayor and the Member for Spatial Planning and Environment – Alderman Eddie Andrews said that they have started the work on Monday and hope to be done by next week. Some people driving along Baden Powell Drive would have noticed the activity next to the road.
They are moving approximately 5000 m3 of clean sand and returning this to circulation in the sea. Then they re-profile the dune, and trial the use of the brushwood and straw to trap the sand. This is only a trial and they will track the efficiency in coming months.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Urban Mobility – Councillor Rob Quintas said that Baden Powell Drive is an important road link in the metro-south-east and facilitates east-west mobility. Many commuters use this road for their daily commute.
Quintas explained that it has really become a challenge in the summer months when sand accumulates on the surface, especially during long periods of strong southeasterly winds, at times forcing them to close the road. They are happy to work with the colleagues from Coastal Management who are the experts in coastal systems and are optimistic that this trial will work to protect the road.
Once completed, the City of Cape Town will continue to monitor the dune system to measure the impact. The trial period will conclude at the end of June 2026.