Johannesburg — According to the Rationalisation of Local Government Affairs Act road closing and access restricting measures can be granted by a municipality under the following conditions:

* The applicant must justify a need for such closure by providing crime statistics in the area concerned. * The applicant must outline security measures that have been used (bobbies on the beat, neighbourhood watch and so on) and the effectiveness of these measures. * The application must enjoy a two-thirds majority from residents of the area to be enclosed. Any objections, from within and without the area, must be resolved and withdrawn in writing or by mutual agreement. * A road impact study to assess impact on traffic flow must be provided.

* The access restriction measures must enjoy the support of any school, church or businesses in the affected area, including users who may not reside in the area.

* The restrictions must not disturb rush-hour traffic, must have 24-hour pedestrian access and satisfactorily accommodate emergency and essential services.