Newcastle is recognised as the third-largest city in KwaZulu-Natal, serving as a crucial industrial hub for the province. Within its boundaries lie four significant industrial zones: Riverside Industrial, Airport Industrial, Madadeni Industrial Estate, and the ArcelorMittal Newcastle Works.
These areas form the foundation of Newcastle’s economy, which thrives on sectors such as heavy industry, clothing and textile manufacturing, essential services, and engineering industries.
However, despite the city’s industrial sector, the rail infrastructure—once a vital artery for Newcastle’s economy—has gradually deteriorated. Today, damaged railway lines can be seen in various areas of Newcastle, winding past familiar landmarks and appearing like shadows of a once-bustling transport network.
Furthermore, the rail system in Newcastle has not always been in such a state of decline. Records from the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport highlighted the importance of Newcastle’s rail infrastructure during the 2005-2006 review period.
At that time, the railway system facilitated the transportation of over 1.4 million tonnes of coal to Newcastle from as far afield as Lephalale (formerly known as Ellisras) and Richards Bay. This same period saw nearly 2 million tonnes of iron ore delivered from the Northern Cape and Limpopo regions, alongside 259,000 tonnes of dolomite from Gauteng and over 250,000 tonnes of lime originating from the Northern Cape and Limpopo.
Today, although cargo trains continue to traverse Newcastle, transporting vital supplies into, out of, and through the city, the question now stands: Is the Newcastle Municipality prepared to take steps to revitalise and restore these once essential railway lines to their former capacity?
Municipal Spokesperson Mthandeni Myende addressed this matter, acknowledging the significant task of restoring the railway infrastructure. “The rail infrastructure has reached its lifespan and requires major upgrades and maintenance,” he explained, emphasising that Newcastle’s rail network has aged to a point where substantial interventions are necessary. Additionally, Myende outlined several key steps that would be essential for the enhancement of the railway system.
These steps include:
- Expansion of the rail infrastructure to accommodate current and future transportation demands, which would be a foundational aspect of the restoration process.
- Introduction of advanced technology that could modernise the operations and make the rail system more adaptable to current industrial requirements.
- Improvement of operational efficiency and maintenance effectiveness to ensure that the rail infrastructure can operate smoothly once it is upgraded.
- Securing additional funding and grants specifically allocated to projects focused on rail infrastructure restoration, as these would be crucial to support the financial demands of such extensive work.
Despite the clear need for these improvements, Myende was candid in addressing the financial aspects of the undertaking.
He pointed out that while the rail infrastructure undoubtedly requires attention, the present demand for rail transport in Newcastle did not justify the required upgrades. “If there is an increase in the demand, then the Newcastle Municipality will look at improving the rail infrastructure and sourcing more funds for the improvement and upgrades.”
Myende also highlighted that the Newcastle Municipality collaborates closely with Transnet, the state-owned company responsible for rail, ports, and pipeline infrastructure, to manage and maintain the railway network.
In addition to managing demand, Myende voiced the Municipality’s interest in restoring the rail infrastructure for its potential benefits to Newcastle’s overall transport network. He explained, “As the custodians of the road network in Newcastle, we would prefer goods to be transported via railways to ease the burden on our road network. This, in turn, will lessen the maintenance required for roads.”
This vision underscores how a functional rail system could help alleviate the strain on the city’s roadways, ultimately reducing road maintenance costs and enhancing overall infrastructure sustainability.
The deteriorating rail system has already begun to impact businesses. In January 2024, while looking at unwinding process of Newcastle Works and Vanderbijl Works, ArcelorMittal South Africa explained the condition of the rail infrastructure across the country posed significant challenges to its ability to operate effectively. This example highlights how the state of Newcastle’s railways affects local industry and contributes to the challenges faced by companies reliant on efficient transportation networks.
Even though current demand levels may not immediately justify full-scale restoration of the rail infrastructure, the expressed concerns from major businesses like ArcelorMittal point to the broader implications of this decline. With the potential for economic benefits from a restored railway system, residents and stakeholders are left to consider the future of Newcastle’s rail network.
What are your thoughts on the above? Share your views in the comment section below.
Comments 1
The issue that affects the Rail Network is copper cable theft. Copper that is stolen by criminals from Rail infrastructure and sold to criminal scrap metal dealers and recyclers. The Municipality spews hogwash once again.