Noise from speeding and revving cars continues to plague Hout Bay, say residents.

Cars racing down Victoria and Harbour roads has been a problem since 2022, and there is a long history of complaints to the City that have gone nowhere, they say (“Repeated calls for action fail to stop speedsters,” Sentinel, June 21).

Hout Bay resident Judy Dixon says her 90-year-old mother, who is in frail care at Kronendal Retirement Village, has to endure loud racing cars day and night.

“Her room faces Victoria Road, and she is greatly disturbed by this heinous noise, as I'm sure all the frail care residents are.

“I have repeatedly emailed the ward councillor, Roberto Quintas, and mayoral committee member for safety and security JP Smith about this noise but to no avail. They now ignore my emails. They simply do not care,“ she said.

However, Mr Quintas said there had been “repeated engagement” by email and WhatsApp with the residents complaining about the noise.

“I personally gathered all the evidence of law enforcement activity over a two-month period, November 2024 to January 2025, to show the writer of the letter the amount of law enforcement resources that are being deployed to try and curb this noise nuisance.“

Asked what was being done to slam the brakes on Hout Bay speedsters, City Traffic Services spokesman Kevin Jacobs said: “Victoria Road is one of only two roads leading in and out of Hout Bay, which is set on a high-rise hill. When driving uphill, vehicle engines typically produce more noise due to factors such as increased load and engine strain. Vehicle noises can also vary depending on the vehicle type, engine condition and driving style. It would not be possible to completely eliminate vehicle noise along main roads.“

Mr Quintas added: “I have often explained to the complainant group that the class of road, as well as the gradient of Victoria Road along Suikerbossie, does not allow for speed humps and hard infrastructure traffic calming measures from which speedsters will pull off from with added noise.

“The issue is a behavioural one, largely the inconsiderate actions of members of the public who drive through areas of the city and ‘show off’ their modified engines and exhausts and super-vehicles.”

There were plans to hold a public meeting on the issue at the Hangberg civic centre in March, Mr Quintas said.

“I am coordinating a meeting at the civic centre with the complainant group as well as representatives from traffic and law enforcement, roads network and infrastructure management and senior engineers and officers.

“We will engage on new ideas or suggestions that may assist in combating this citywide complaint,“ he said.

Kronendal Retirement Village did not respond to requests for comment by deadline.

#road-rules

Roadworks draw mixed response

Speedsters still plague Hout Bay

Over 70 fatalities on the roads since the start of the month

Surge in drunk driving, warns City

City impounds 14 taxis over weekend

Western Cape roads claim 22 lives in one week