Noordhoek Traffic Issues and Proposed Solutions
Traffic issues are very much top of mind in many parts of Noordhoek: speeding, loud vehicles, dangerous crossings, parking, horses on public roads .. all evoke strong reactions. Many are asking what the Noordhoek Ratepayers Association is doing about it. Well, this post is to explain what we have and still intend to do, as well as what you can do to help. This message is going out via all NRPA channels so you may bump into it elsewhere.
Before going into the solutions as we see them it is important to realise a couple of things:
1. CoCT does not feel the same level of urgency as we do. While we feel that we have a big traffic problem, their sentiment is that it isn’t urgent when considered in relation to issues in other areas
2. CoCT capacity (and budget) for addressing our problems are very limited
3. Noordhoek Main Road is a provincial road, which means that a different set of rules apply than to a municipal road
Having said that, here is the list of items that we have discussed with Tim de Villiers (CoCT traffic engineer for our area) during multiple engagements in 2024 – in person as well as via email:
• Reducing speeds on Main Road from Chapman’s Peak Drive to the Silvermine turnoff to 40 or 50 km/h. The idea behind this is that there are multiple reasons why the current 70 km/h is too high: the poor visibility at the Jakes intersection, cars and foot traffic around the common and the pedestrian/equestrian crossing at the farm village (which is confusing and dangerous). The reduction of speed on any section of road, but especially on a provincial road, has to follow a procedure, starting off with a formal measurement of current speeds. Tim has agreed to issue a tender for this work, but it will take some months before we see the outcome and are able to formally request a change in maximum speed
• Adjustment of the pedestrian crossing at the Farm Village. Tim indicated he favours a solution where the crossing is brought further towards the Silvermine turn-off and that traffic lights are installed like at the Garden Emporium. He could fund this in a similar way that he did at the Emporium. He categorically ruled out a traffic circle, speed bumps and rumble strips on Main Road, even though other provincial roads have them. NRPA believes that it is pointless to debate with him on this and has therefore adopted a stance to rather work with the constraints that he is setting.
• Reducing speeds on Main Road from Silvermine turnoff to the Checkers mall to 60 km/h (bringing it in line with Kommetjie Road) and the introduction of slip lanes for Lake Michelle South and North entrances. Tim has not given any indication on these ideas, despite recent accidents at the emporium intersection and deaths along Main Road.
• Installing 3 community-funded speed feedback signs (showing speeds and if too fast) in front of the common, along Main Road and Silvermine Road. NRPA has asked for permission to erect these signs. When and if we get permission we will reach out to residents to help fund them.
• Converting 3 residential areas in Noordhoek to become “Woonerven” under the National Traffic Act (Chapman’s Peak, Crofter’s Valley, San Michel/Noordhaven). This would limit speeds in those areas to 30 km/h and give the right of way to all non-motorised traffic (pedestrians, horseriders, cyclists etc). The community has tried this before and did not make much headway, but Tim has said he will support it if we can prove to him that the majority of residents in those areas support it. NRPA is currently preparing communications around this concept and ways of getting resident buy-in.
• Non-motorised infrastructure on Main Road from Chapman’s Peak Drive to the Checkers Mall this was already discussed when the Mayor visited Noordhoek in 2022, but nothing has moved on this topic so far. NRPA believes that the main reason for road fatalities lies in the differences in speed between users of the same road. Vulnerable users (pedestrians, cyclists) must use physically separated lanes, even if that means narrowing Main Road to do so.
We realise that it may appear that things to move (too) slowly, but as with many things, CoCT is a large organisation that is not easy to influence. We are, however, trying to move the needle. The good news is that you can get involved if this is something that you are passionate about because all the ideas mentioned above need residents to get involved: dig into the by-laws and traffic regulations, community outreach, put proposals together, fundraising. Especially the “woonerven” will need community support for Tim to consider it seriously. If you know of people who are willing and able to contribute their time in a sensible way then please reach out to me (Bas) or Patrick Wright via email: chairman@nrpa.org.za and civic@nrpa.org.za