Residents unite against heavy truck crisis in Durban suburbs
Glenwood, Manor Gardens, and Umbilo residents are pushing back against a surge in heavy truck traffic that’s bringing noise, pollution, and danger to their streets. At a community meeting, locals joined forces with civic groups and environmental activists to demand safer, more sustainable transport solutions linked to Port of Durban activity.
CONCERNED residents from Glenwood, Manor Gardens, and Umbilo gathered on Saturday, October 11, to address the growing crisis caused by heavy trucks cutting through their neighbourhoods.
The meeting, hosted in Manor Gardens and organised under the newly-formed Glenwood, Manor Gardens, and Umbilo Trucking Action Group, was also attended by business owners, ratepayer associations, local councillors, and representatives from the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA).
A member of the group, Bryan Ashe, said the gathering was called to address the escalating impacts of heavy truck traffic — including noise and air pollution, road damage, congestion, and safety risks — which residents say have worsened in recent months due to increased freight activity linked to the Port of Durban.
Speaking on behalf of the Manor Gardens Ratepayers, Ashe said, “The impact of unchecked heavy trucking is no longer isolated to the port or industrial areas — it is affecting our neighbourhoods. We need responsible logistics planning, stronger enforcement, and solutions like rail, not more trucks.”
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Umbilo resident Jonathan Erasmus highlighted the increasing number of trucks using Bartle Road as a diversion route. He urged residents to use CCTV tracking to monitor traffic volume and called for permanent metro police presence in hotspot areas. “CCTV data can help build the case for action,” he said.
SDCEA’s Shanice Firmin echoed these concerns and stressed the need for community participation in traffic and environmental planning. “The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Toolkit gives residents the tools to hold authorities accountable and demand sustainable alternatives,” she said.
According to Firmin, several major infrastructure projects are underway as part of the Port Master Plan, including the deepening of the Island View berths, proposed new container terminal at the old T-Jetty, and the redevelopment of the former airport site for logistics operations.
The meeting concluded with a resolution to formalise an area-based action group for Glenwood, Manor Gardens, and Umbilo. This group will co-ordinate through the broader South Durban Trucking Coalition, uniting ratepayer associations, business forums, UIPs, and community safety networks.
A formal letter outlining the community’s concerns will be sent to Transport Minister Barbara Creecy, and a WhatsApp group will be launched for ongoing co-ordination and updates. A follow-up community meeting is also in the works.
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