The proposed development has not seriously affected property prices along its route, where prices have risen in line with the steady increase of 9% to 10% recorded in almost all areas of Johannesburg in the past two years.

Some properties on the route, particularly in the Midrand, Centurion and Pretoria area are likely to be expropriated to make way for the train. The Gauteng transport and public works department (Gautrans) has set aside R700m to buy land servicing the line.

While the line passes through Saxonwold, Rosebank, Dunkeld, Illovo, Inanda, Houghton and Sandown in Johannesburg, these suburbs are not likely to be affected by expropriation as the train will travel mainly underground.

The most vocal protest against expropriation has come from the Lukasrand and Muckleneuk Property Owners and Residents' Association, which does not want the route from Pretoria Station to Hatfield to pass through Muckleneuk. The suburb is likely to lose 23 houses to make way for Gautrain.

The association has teamed up with 20 other concerned Pretoria organisations in the Pretoria Tunnel Alliance to call for the route to be tunnelled into Pretoria's central business district, instead of passing through suburbs.

According to the association the character of Muckleneuk will be affected by the route.

Townes says homeowners who want tranquility in their suburbs will move out because of the proposed train. They will be replaced by a new kind of investor attracted by construction opportunities. "Stations will change the nature of the suburbs. There will be opportunity for redevelopment," Townes says.

Proposed rail-link stations will be in Rosebank, Sandton, Marlboro, Midrand, the airport and Hatfield.

Townes says stations will become development hubs. "The sheer volume of people using those stations will demand that the people should be serviced."

This view is supported by property economist Francois Viruly, who says that the rail link will have a very important spatial effect on the property market.

"If you look at the international market the rail link creates an opportunity for the retail sector as it opens up accessibility of land (to a large number of people).

"If you can transport many people to Midrand, for example, it will open up opportunities for these areas," Viruly says.

He warns, however, that what happens in and around stations is going to be critical for property values in those areas.

Stations "might either be success areas or a total mess. If the station is well organised and fitted into the urban infrastructure it will encourage development around those areas. However, failure of the stations will discourage people from being around those stations," Viruly says.

Absa property economist Jacques du Toit says that there will also be various opportunities for the unused areas surrounding the stations to be utilised.

He believes their development will depend on the volume of traffic passing through the stations and the extent to which station infrastructure is used.

"This will further enhance the viability of the stations," Du Toit says.

Business Day