UPDATE FIVE
We are happy to report that, having petitioned the Western Cape Provincial Parliament (WCPP) on 27 March 2026, our petition successfully progressed to the final stage of the petition framework process. The Petition Steering Committee was invited to deliver a presentation on 25 August 2026 to brief the Standing Committee on Mobility and the relevant authorities. This was followed by inclusive discussions with the Departments of Mobility and Infrastructure and the Overstrand Municipality.
The discussions were generally amicable, with the Department of Mobility (DOM) and Overstrand Municipality (OM) clearly more attuned to the concerns of the residents of Betty’s Bay than the Department of Infrastructure (DOI).
The DOM and DOI are to provide feedback to the Standing Committee on Mobility by the end of January 2027. The by-elections and the Opening of Parliament are to be considered, but the petition process was never going to be expeditious! All outstanding issues will be dealt with at a site meeting in Betty’s Bay during February/March 2027. The Standing Committee is required to revert to the Speaker’s Office in Parliament once the process is concluded.
However, a positive outcome of the briefing resulted in the mobilisation of Provincial Traffic Services at the request of the DOM. This would involve the use of manual cameras in the interim, to demonstrate a commitment by the DOM to take the concerns of the residents in Betty’s Bay seriously, “failing which, in six months we shall all be back dealing with the same issues once again”. During this interim period, an evaluation and determination will be made as to the appropriate locations for stationary cameras to be positioned at a later stage. In the meantime, OM is to start the statutory application process for these stationary cameras.
Within days, Provincial Traffic Services were operational along the R44 through Betty’s Bay, and fines were issued. OM traffic enforcement patrols were also observed in the area. If 230 erven and 37 intersections have direct access to the R44, this route should function as a “Class 2 Urban Arterial.”
The Petition Steering Committee will challenge the authorities should they resist the following requests:
- 70km/h throughout Betty’s Bay, excluding the 60km/h in the HUB area (Class 2 Urban Arterial).
- Mini roundabout at Disa Circle to slow down traffic in the CBD (Class 2 Urban Arterial).
- Two humps at the HUB to protect pedestrians crossing and vehicles accessing the R44 in the vicinity (Class 2 Urban Arterial).
The authorities agreed to discuss the following:
- Removal of parking bays to facilitate overtaking at the turnoff to Seaview Link to avoid collisions.
- Removal of parking bays to provide a clear view of oncoming traffic at the HUB.
- DOI “Wildlife Crossing” signage between Rooi Els and Betty’s Bay.
- Location of stationary cameras (2) to be dependent on the outcome of the interim use of manual cameras.
Dorienne Maes
Photos: Carol Clark