Interest shown in reopening historic cableway

THE Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company (TMAC) has proposed to the SA Navy a R2,5m revamp and management and maintenance plan of the historic but long-defunct cableway linking Simon's Town harbour with an abandoned mountain-top military hospital. Following a report on Travel Now in November, it has emerged that TMAC's managing director, John Harrison, has been eyeing for some ten years the Cape's "second cableway" about 30kms from Cape Town, which closed in 1927. It has been mooted by local councillors as a potential major tourism money-spinner for its spectacular views, nearby hikes, natural setting and historic value - if investors could be found. Some 365 steps lead alongside the cableway to the top which is where famous local dog Just Nuisance is buried. "We'd be delighted to manage the cableway. Although it would be on a substantially smaller scale than Table Mountain's and much cheaper, we would provide or train staff to run six two- to eight-person capacity fixed grip cars similar to the ones at theme parks which lock in front of passengers as they sit down. Maintenance is always critical, of course," said Harrison. He added that the proposal includes turning the hospital into a hikers' lodge which would provide basic accommodation and cooking facilities. South Peninsula Municipality spokesman, Geoff Duffell-Cannon, said the proposal will be discussed at a series of board meetings next month. (Simon Farrell)