Loud music until deep into the night, street racing, litter. So-called Kadekapers cause a lot of nuisance on the Noordereiland. Those involved are looking for solutions together in the Kadekapers Working Group. How far have they come and what actions are planned?
Anyone living on the Noordereiland is familiar with the term kadekapers. Individuals who cause nuisance with cars and motorcycles by driving around, racing, and parking. It causes noise nuisance, parking problems, and leads to dangerous situations. And there is litter everywhere.
Kadekapers Working Group
To combat the nuisance, the Kadekapers Working Group was established. With employees from the municipality, neighborhood council members, the neighborhood officer, and residents. Like Marc Godschalk: We have a common mission: how can calm return to the Noordereiland? In the working group, we quickly come together. We think about solutions and explore possibilities. In larger meetings, where everyone is welcome, we present those.
For example, the neighborhood council organized one in May. And on September 23, there was a follow-up meeting at Villa Zebra. It was a positive session. About achieved actions and solutions in the short and long term.
About the closure during the summer months, for instance. The island was locked on Fridays and Saturdays to reduce the crowds. Marc: There was some peace. No car races or other nuisance at night. The closure is a temporary measure. It has been extended, but will expire. Is there another way to close the island again?
Obstacles
The flower boxes have also been discussed. They were placed as obstacles for street racing. But the boxes are too far apart to slow down the races. Three extra planters will be added to fill the gap. Its great that action is being taken so quickly.
For wide speed bumps to slow down traffic, a study on vibrations is now being conducted first. There will also be a measurement of parking pressure to gain insight into the use of parking spaces. Big belly bumps have been placed, semi-circular concrete blocks, to reduce parking spaces. We are also considering calling on all residents to park their cars on the quays. To see if that reduces the nuisance.
The planned sewer replacement has also been mentioned. As far as the residents are concerned, this will be a design plan. If the quays get a new design, nuisance measures can be included. Such as greening the parking spaces. The alderman explained that the sewer task is now a maintenance project. If it becomes more than a maintenance project, the renovation will take longer. Initiatives for greening are also welcome.
Emotions
It was less crowded than in May, when emotions ran high, says Marc. The atmosphere was friendly and constructive. The alderman listens and thinks along. There is also room to think outside the box. In the working group, individuals and government work well together. Earlier this year, we talked about the 30 km zone. Link opens an external page on the island. And before you know it, some things have already been implemented, such as road markings and clear bike lanes.
Do you live on the Noordereiland and have questions or ideas?
Email neighborhood manager Jacco Bakker: j.bakker@rotterdam.nl. Link opens an external page
