Heidelberg residents have had enough after a truck crashed into the Heidelberg Crown Hotel at the corner of Jacobs and Voortrekker Streets on Tuesday morning (October 14).
The incident, which occurred just after 9am, marks the fourth time in less than a year that a heavy vehicle has smashed into the same section of the building, according to Proudly Heidelberg.
The hotel had recently completed renovations, but once again, part of the structure was left damaged. The general manager told the publication the repeated accidents are “deeply frustrating and costly,” adding that constant impact on the same section could cause permanent structural harm.
“We’ve just finished fixing that wall,” he said. “It’s heartbreaking to see another truck hit it again. This cannot keep happening – traffic officers need to stop these trucks from entering the CBD.”
Ignored signs and growing anger
Despite several large “No Heavy Vehicles” signs around Heidelberg’s CBD, trucks continue to enter the area daily. Many drivers reportedly claim their GPS directs them through town, an excuse locals are no longer accepting.
“If a driver can follow GPS directions, he can read a road sign,” a local business owner told the paper. “It’s not a mistake anymore, it’s negligence.”
Other shop owners say trucks often scrape kerbs, hit lamp posts, and damage pavements while trying to navigate the narrow streets.
“Every week we see trucks tearing up the sidewalks,” said a restaurant owner. “Our infrastructure is being destroyed, and there’s zero enforcement.”
A nearby guest house owner echoed the frustration, saying traffic officials are almost never visible in town.
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“We don’t see traffic officers during the day, at night, or even on weekends. That’s why drivers know they can get away with it,” she said.
Calls for stricter enforcement
The residents and business owners are now demanding visible traffic patrols and heavier fines for truckers who ignore restrictions. Proudly Heidelberg joined the call for Lesedi Local Municipality’s Traffic Department to assign at least one patrol vehicle to monitor the CBD and town entrances — especially near Hoër Volkskool and HF Verwoerd Street.
Truckers are reminded that heavy vehicles are not permitted in Heidelberg’s CBD under local by-laws. Ignoring the signage could lead to fines and growing backlash from the community.
Before entering Heidelberg, double-check your route and stay clear of Voortrekker Street and Jacobs Street. Residents have made it clear — they’ve had enough.
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