Table Mountain: Hikers warned to avoid trails amid maintenance work
The Table Mountain aerial cableway has been shut down for seven weeks of major maintenance work and is set to reopen in early September.
Table Mountain, Cape Town / Wikimedia Commons: StevenMorrow
CAPE TOWN - Hikers have been warned to avoid trails on Table Mountain as maintenance work on the cableway continues.
The Table Mountain aerial cableway has been shut down for seven weeks of major maintenance work and is set to reopen in early September.
Sections of Tafelberg Road and hiking trails near the cableway have been closed to ensure safety.
"We've got heavy pieces of equipment. These track ropes weigh 20 tons a piece and because the work is taken place overhead and there are hiking trails underneath where the work is taking place, we have decided those trails should be closed," said the Table Mountain aerial cableway company director, Wahida Parker.
The cableway company's technical executive, Adries de Vries, shared some insight to the work being done.
"So in a nutshell we are replacing the four main cables of the cableway. The four weight-bearing cables - we call them track ropes - we've replaced the four of those and consolidate on time we're actually doing what we term a carriage overhaul."
De Vries said the cable cars would also be given a fresh new look.