Shilowa Express given clean bill of health

AN independent Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), conducted by Bohlweki Environmental Management, says the proposed high speed rail link project between Johannesburg and Pretoria as well as between Sandton and the Johannesburg International Airport, will have a minimal effect on the environment. This was announced on Monday by Bohlweki which said in a draft report that the potential effect on the biophysical environment was found to be low because the proposed railway would pass through mainly urbanised areas. Part of the report also included an Economic Impact Study which found that the railway system could add R2,6bn annually to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and could be used by as many as 100 000 commuters per day. The public has until November 21 to submit comments on the report. This will be followed by the opening-up of the tender process, which will take six months to complete. It is estimated the project will cost around R7bn and construction is set to begin in 2004. (Miguel de Sousa)