CAPE TOWN – Traffic congestion emerged as a major concern as residents questioned how the V&A Waterfront plans to manage the impact of several large-scale developments set for the adjacent Granger Bay precinct.

The issue took centre stage at the Mouille Point Ratepayers Association’s annual general meeting last week, where V&A Waterfront chief executive officer Graham Wood outlined the vision for the area’s future expansion.

Major developments planned for the V&A Waterfront and Granger Bay include a new R230 million Superyacht Marina, expanded hotel and tourism infrastructure, and a large land reclamation project featuring public spaces, coastal protection measures, promenades, tidal pools and mixed-use developments.

Responding to traffic concerns, Wood said congestion is a big problem in Cape Town. “The broader traffic congestion problem has to be solved by the city and provincial government. The solution has got to be about getting more people onto rail than changing the mode of transport as opposed to people being in cars and on the roads.”

He also provided an update on the progress of the developments and where the planning process currently stands. “We are in the process of going through our environmental impact assessment (EIA) and IGMA land reclamation application processes. We have to apply for a national government approval through the intercoastal management act for the reclamation of part of the ocean to create the bay.”

He hopes this will be completed by the third quarter of next year.

Wood is committed to ongoing engagement with residents as developments move forward.

Ian Macun, MPRA chairperson, reflected on his first year as chair of the association and said it has been an “interesting and steep learning curve”.

He said the area continues to experience several major developments and infrastructure upgrades that are expected to shape the area over the coming years.

Developments in the area

Macun explained that the association submitted comments on proposed projects, including the mixed-use development of Erf 2187 in Three Anchor Bay, changes to the Nautica building at The Waterclub complex and the proposed 12-storey hotel at 167 Beach Road, with some matters still under appeal or awaiting further progress.

He said some positive additions to the area include the completion of padel courts, a new sculpture park, a private residence at 52 Bay Road and upgrades to the Blue Train Park under new management.

Macun explained that Shell’s upgrades at Vic Proctor Motors and the new hotel and retail development at 55 Beach Road are expected to be completed by the end of this year.

Challenges

Macun said residents have raised concerns about the growing number of electric scooters and micromobility devices on the Sea Point Promenade, calling for stricter regulations, including permits, speed limits, age restrictions and dedicated lanes.

He explained that another major issue affecting both Mouille Point and the broader city has been the introduction of fixed service charges in the City’s budget, which were recently declared unconstitutional by the Western Cape High Court and are set to be scrapped from next month.

He said the MPRA continues to engage with event organisers and the City to ensure the best possible outcome for residents as the Cape Town Stadium remains a busy venue for sporting and entertainment events.

Ward 54 councillor Nicola Jowell updated residents on the progress of projects completed and currently underway since last year’s AGM.

Jowell said the City is aware of the traffic challenges faced during event days in the Green Point precinct and that plans are in the works to mitigate them.

Specific problems in the area

She said homelessness remains a major challenge across the ward and urged residents to support registered organisations rather than giving handouts on the streets.

“Our social development team has been active in the area. They do great work with compassion  and dignity, and we opened the third Safe Space on Ebernezer Road last year that serves this area.”

Jowell explained that noisy and speeding vehicles remain a problem throughout the area. “We have put ward allocation funding towards the new speed radar sign on Beach Road. On High Level Road, the data showed that speeding dropped by 60%.”

She said plans are underway to establish a forum with e-bike operators to develop solutions aimed at making the Promenade safer for all users.

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