CoCT launches 'dune reprofiling' project to mitigate windblown sand on Baden Powell Drive

Windblown sand on Baden Powell Drive is a perennial problem for the City of Cape Town.

Now it has launched a pilot project to mitigate this problem at Sandy Corner, close to Monwabisi.

During the summer months, this stretch of road is severely impacted by the strong south-easterly winds that blow sand on to it from the local dune system, requiring continuous maintenance.

In addition to reprofiling the dune, the project will trial the efficiency of brushwood and straw in trapping the sand there.

"We are moving approximately 5000 m3 of clean sand and returning this to circulation in the sea", said Deputy Mayor and Mayco Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Eddie Andrews.

The work is being done by the City’s Coastal Management branch in partnership with the Roads Infrastructure Management (RIM) Department.  They are optimistic that the trial will work to protect Baden Powell, which is an important road link in the metro south-east and facilitates east-west mobility, says Andrews.

Some Capetonians have questioned the efficacy of this strategy to "control" the dune, though.

In response to one question, the City said that the method and natural material being used are "the most appropriate and suitable for the local environment, given the limited infrastructure and challenges with vandalism and theft".

Once the pilot project has been completed, the City will continue to monitor the dune system to measure the impact. The trial period will conclude at the end of June 2026.