Media Release: Lions Head Trail Maintenance

[MATTHYS]

Media Release: Lions Head Trail Maintenance

15 November 2018

South African National Parks (SANParks) wishes to inform all Table Mountain National Parks (TMNP) visitors of the pending trail maintenance that will take place on Lions Head from 7 January 2019 to 15 February 2019. Successful completion of this much needed intervention on the popular spiral trail up to the summit requires full closure of the trail during the maintenance period.

During 2017, a Trail Audit Report for the Lions Head and Signal Hill footpath network was completed. The outcome of the report resulted in recommendations to improve the longevity of the trail, safety of hikers in the area and the environmental protection of the Lions Head and Signal Hill.

Since the inception of the report, the TMNP management has formulated a phased approach to implement the recommended actions. Minor work that would pose the least interrupted usage of the trail has been completed and includes closure of unauthorised pathways and desire lines, directional signage erected to guide hikers along the official trails and completion of the assessment for certification of the climbing infrastructure along the trail.

TMNP will now embark on one of the more intensive phases of the project where the condition of the trail will be addressed.

Kindly note that no access will be permitted to hikers or runners via the track entrance along Signal Hill Drive. This includes the restriction on access after sunset and before sunrise. Due to the maintenance in progress we cannot guarantee the safe passage of visitors along the path way and hence the entire trail will be closed.

Signal Hill will remain open to the public as a viewing point.

For more information on which paths you may use for hiking or if you would like to talk to us, please visit our social media pages:
Facebook – SANParks_TMNP
Twitter - @SANParks_TMNP

Alternatively, forward your enquiries to:
Mathabatha Matjila, Table Mountain National Park, Tel: 021 422 1601; Email: [email protected]

TMNP management wishes to thank our visitors for their cooperation during this time.

Follow us on Twitter @SANParks
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Talk to us directly by joining the SANParks e-forum: http://www.sanparks.org/forum/

Issued by:
Cape Region Communications
Tel: 012 426 5170

For Enquiries:
Saskia Marlowe
SANParks Table Mountain National Park
Hospitality Services, Film and Events Manager
Tel: 021 712 7471
Email: [email protected]

[MATTHYS]

Media Release: Lions Head reopens

01 March 2019

Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) Management would like to announce that the Lions Head Trail will reopen today, 1 March 2019.

Please note that there is a section with new infrastructure along the pathway that still requires completion. This will be clearly marked on-site.

We ask that all visitors comply with the on-site signage and use the existing ladder or spiral pathway to reach the summit. Many illegal trails have been closed as a part of rehabilitation efforts and we ask that visitors respect these closures and stay on the demarcated trail.

The conservation team have also commenced vegetation rehabilitation in a number of places and the Park requests visitors to assist the team with this process by not stepping off the pathway for any reason.

We would like to remind visitors that the footpath on the north facing slope from the Kramat, leading up to the spiral trail, will remain closed for further rehabilitation as a result of the fire event in February 2019.

Lastly, please assist the Park by taking home all your litter when you leave. Take photos and leave only footprints. TMNP would like to take this opportunity to thank our visitors for their patience and understanding during this essential rehabilitation project.

Issued by:
South African National Parks (SANParks) TMNP Communications

Media enquiries:
Babalwa Dlangamandla
SANParks, TMNP Public Relations Officer
Landline: 021 712-0527; Cellphone: 076 724 2416
Email: [email protected]

[MATTHYS]

Media Release: Lions Head update

04 March 2019

After the reopening of Lion's Head on Friday, 1 March 2019, we have received concerns from our visitors around the safety of some of the newly installed infrastructure.

SANParks echoes these sentiments and we understand the disappointment our hikers may feel. The tender that was awarded for infrastructure maintenance was done in a fair, open and equitable manner whilst complying with all Supply Chain Management guidelines.

The contractor that was awarded the tender met the requirements and commenced work when the trail was closed. Regrettably, quality control was an on-going challenge and our conservation team inspected work on a daily basis. Corrective measures that needed to be put in place were communicated to the contractor as these issues arose.

With the balance of the work completed to a satisfactory level - that is, the footpath rehabilitation - the trail was reopened. An area of concern has been cordoned off until such time a Certificate of Compliance could be issued to verify that the safe working load of the infrastructure was up to standard. This matter is currently being resolved with the contractor.

We have encouraged hikers to make use of the existing staples and chains or the trail segment that circumvents the cordoned off infrastructure. Visitors are still able to reach the summit through the spiral trail that completely excludes the staples and chains. SANParks wishes to inform our stakeholders that we will be taking the necessary steps to rectify this situation. Until such time that we can guarantee safe passage, the newly installed infrastructure will remain closed off and notices will remain in place. We apologise for the inconvenient caused.

Issued by:
South African National Parks (SANParks) TMNP Communications

Media enquiries:
Babalwa Dlangamandla
SANParks, TMNP Public Relations Officer
Tel: 021 712 0527
Email: [email protected]

[MATTHYS]

Media Release: SANParks urges the public to adhere to signage of areas not opened on parts of Lions Head

05 March 2019

Following the recent concerns on social media related to the usage of certain sections of the Lion’s Head within the Table Mountain National Park, SANParks would like to confirm that the sections in question are not open to the public due to the fact that we are still assessing the work that has been conducted.

These sections included the newly installed staples and chains. Unfortunately, visitors to the area have ignored signage informing them that these sections are not to be accessed and they are closed. SANParks Rangers also patrol the area informing citizens that certain sections are not open for use and have been demarcated as such.

“With the recent fires SANParks had to delay the opening of Lions Head, and we’ve subsequently reopened the footpath section leading to the summit where maintenance work was successfully completed,” says SANParks Head of Corporate Communications - Janine Raftopoulos.

Raftopoulos goes on to say that, “Visitors have posted images of the sections that are not yet opened to the public and they should not be accessing the area. We will ensure that the closed sections are certified safe before reopening them. We also want to reassure members of the public that standard procedure is to conduct safety checks before the area is reopened.”

SANParks requests that all visitors comply with the signage on site and use the existing or spiral pathway to reach the summit. “As it stands now we have discovered that patrons have gained unauthorized access to the cordoned off area and are not adhering to the signs to stay out of the area, further posting these images on social media; concluded Raftopoulos.

Anyone accessing the unauthorized area does so at their own risk and may be liable to a fine. SANParks would also like to thank the public for their patience during the rehabilitation work that occurred on Lion’s Head.

Issued by:
South African National Parks (SANParks) TMNP Communications

Media enquiries:
Babalwa Dlangamandla
SANParks, TMNP Public Relations Officer
Email: [email protected]
Landline: 021 712 0527