Walvis clears up street confusion

By: MAGGI BARNARD at WALVIS BAY

THE rapid expansion of Walvis Bay has necessitated a complete revision of street numbers and names.

The duplication of street numbers has led to major confusion.

Residents complained that service providers, such as the Police,

security companies, ambulance services and others could not find

addresses.

 

Unorthodox numbering at the Kuisebmond suburb, for instance,

caused major confusion where a quarter of properties were numbered

from 1 to 990, while the rest of the suburb used erf numbers as

street numbers.

 

The same problem existed at Narraville, but in addition some

residents numbered their own streets, as there were no numbers.

 

There were also street names duplicated in more than one suburb,

and fragmented street names occurring five times in different parts

of town.

 

The revision process started in 1996 and was completed last year

by the Town Planning Division of the Municipality.

 

"We wanted a uniform system following a certain protocol," town

planning officer Wilson Billawer said at a media conference.

 

The Municipality is calling on all residents to be patient with

the changes, and to support it by displaying new numbers clearly

and visibly on their homes as soon as possible.

 

"It is very important for their own safety," said Billawer.

 

There is no restriction on the type or style of numbering

used.

 

Residents are requested to have the new numbers displayed by the

end of June.

 

New street numbers are indicated on monthly accounts, while maps

have been put up at all the Municipal offices with the new

numbers.

 

Billawer said there had been resistance from about 50 per cent

of people who had reacted to the change.

 

"They mostly say they have not been consulted properly, while

others argue they have become sentimentally attached to the street

number over the years."

 

The protocol followed in the revision process determines that

streets with a South-North orientation have been numbered from

South to North.

 

Streets with a West-East orientation have been numbered from

West (harbour side) to East (desert side), "as the town is growing

in a northerly and easterly direction".

 

Corner properties will use the number where the entrance to the

erf is located.

 

Billawer said it was necessary to make the changes once and for

all to improve the efficiency of the town for service provision and

other important urban functions.

 

Residents complained that service providers, such as the Police,

security companies, ambulance services and others could not find

addresses.Unorthodox numbering at the Kuisebmond suburb, for

instance, caused major confusion where a quarter of properties were

numbered from 1 to 990, while the rest of the suburb used erf

numbers as street numbers.The same problem existed at Narraville,

but in addition some residents numbered their own streets, as there

were no numbers.There were also street names duplicated in more

than one suburb, and fragmented street names occurring five times

in different parts of town.The revision process started in 1996 and

was completed last year by the Town Planning Division of the

Municipality."We wanted a uniform system following a certain

protocol," town planning officer Wilson Billawer said at a media

conference.The Municipality is calling on all residents to be

patient with the changes, and to support it by displaying new

numbers clearly and visibly on their homes as soon as possible."It

is very important for their own safety," said Billawer.There is no

restriction on the type or style of numbering used.Residents are

requested to have the new numbers displayed by the end of June.New

street numbers are indicated on monthly accounts, while maps have

been put up at all the Municipal offices with the new

numbers.Billawer said there had been resistance from about 50 per

cent of people who had reacted to the change."They mostly say they

have not been consulted properly, while others argue they have

become sentimentally attached to the street number over the

years."The protocol followed in the revision process determines

that streets with a South-North orientation have been numbered from

South to North.Streets with a West-East orientation have been

numbered from West (harbour side) to East (desert side), "as the

town is growing in a northerly and easterly direction".Corner

properties will use the number where the entrance to the erf is

located.Billawer said it was necessary to make the changes once and

for all to improve the efficiency of the town for service provision

and other important urban functions.

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