Urgent Traffic Calming Measures Needed in Groendal, Franschhoek

The GOOD Party is calling on the Stellenbosch Municipality to take immediate and decisive action to address a growing road safety crisis in Groendal, Franschhoek. During a recent oversight visit residents of Blossom and Oak Streets shared their deep fears over reckless, high-speed driving in their neighbourhoods, an ongoing threat that endangers lives daily.

Children and elderly residents are particularly vulnerable, with many families expressing anguish over the lack of safe pedestrian infrastructure. Despite repeated appeals for speedbumps and other traffic calming measures, the Municipality has failed to respond, leaving the community feeling neglected and exposed.

Our review of the Municipality’s 2025/26 budget reveals that only R700,000 has been allocated for general Traffic Calming Projects across all wards, including Ward 2. This represents a mere 0.021% of the total R3.38 billion municipal budget, a shockingly low investment in public safety for a region that brands itself as a “Safer Valley.”

We have formally submitted the following inquiries to the Municipal Manager and the MMC for Infrastructure:

• What criteria are used to prioritize areas for traffic calming interventions?
• Has any assessment been conducted in Groendal, specifically Blossom and Oak Streets, to evaluate the need for speedbumps?
• Is there scope within the current budget or upcoming adjustments to allocate additional resources to Ward 2 for urgent road safety improvements?

Every day without intervention increases the risk to pedestrians. The residents of Ward 2 deserve streets where children can walk and play freely, and where seniors can move about without fear. The GOOD Party urges the Municipality to treat this matter with the seriousness it demands and stands ready to work collaboratively toward a safer Groendal.