HESSEQUA NEWS - The motorised pont at Malgas allows public traffic to cross the Breede River, avoiding a time-consuming and expensive 90km detour by road to reach the other side of the river.
Operating hours are from 06:00 to 18:00 every day.
However, accoring to the Department of Transport and Public Works (DTPW), operators may at their own discretion and without notice, close the pont at any time for safety reasons.
When weather, water and vessel conditions are favourable, and when the pont is not required for transporting DTPW vehicles, members of the public may have their vehicles transported across the river free of charge. No pedestrians or non-motorised vehicles will be transported across the river unless there is also a motorised vehicle on the pont.
The old pont, which was connected to a cable and drawn by hand across the river, was put in place a century ago. The old vessel had to be replaced because it had become a hazard to public safety, and because it was no longer fit for the purpose.
The cable across the river, which is also a hazard to public safety, is not higher from the water surface, but will be removed in due course.
The pont slipway is DTPW property as it forms part of the public road crossing the river.
As a courtesy to the public, boat operators wishing to launch a boat from the road may do so, provided the pont is not currently using the slipway. Boat operators are not permitted to ask the pont operator to move the pont to make way for their boats.
“The use of Malgas Pont is at the user’s own risk. The DTPW accepts no liability for any losses related to the use of the pont,” said Jandre Bakker, head of communication. Cameras have been installed to monitor operations at the pont site, to mitigate the risk of vandalism and to log vehicle registration details.
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