1-way street causes problems for Segambut residents

The Star Online > Central. Tuesday May 26, 2009. By PRIYA MENON

No idea: A motorcylist not adhering to the No-entry sign placed at the entrance of Jalan 4/42A.

RESIDENTS in Segambut are angry that Jalan 4/42A has been turned into a one-way street since May 1. The change was to accommodate the DUKE highway exit along Jalan 1/42A. More than 15,000 residents from Taman Sejahtera, Taman Kok Doh, Taman City, Kampung Pasir Segambut and Taman Lawa are affected by the change. Before the road change, motorists were allowed to turn out into Jalan 1/42A and those coming from Jalan Jambu Mawar and people coming from Jalan Duta could turn into Jalan 4/42A. Now, residents coming from Jalan Jambu Mawar heading towards Jalan 1/42A cannot turn right into the street, causing much confusion among residents. “They never informed us of the road change. Just before May 1, we suddenly saw signboards erected indicating that it is a one-way street,” said the vice-chairman of the Komuniti Bestari of Taman Sejahtera, Emran Hasbullah, 52. Due to the change, residents now have to walk half a kilometre away to Taman Kok Doh to catch the bus to get out of the residential area. “The only exit we have is at Taman City so the bus has to go that way causing more inconvenience for the residents,” said another resident, S. Maniselvan, 40. The Taman City exit is now jammed at peak hours as it is the only entry and exit point for the residents and traders. As the buses have stopped plying the route, those businesses along the road have suffered losses as people do not frequent their shops as often as before. “In the mornings, those catching the buses will stop by for breakfast before going to work. Now they have to walk further so they don’t have time to grab a bite,” said Chee Cheong Fun seller, Ang Lay Peng, 46. Ang said she suffered 50% business loss in the past month alone. Emran questioned Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s (DBKL) move of changing the roads without consulting the residents.
Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng, who organised a press conference to highlight the issue, said according to DBKL’s by-law they should ask the residents’ opinions before making any changes to streets, buildings or development. “I sent a letter to the DBKL office asking if they took into consideration the residents’ opinions but I have not received a comment yet,” added Lim at the conference last Friday. Lim said now a number of accidents had occurred in the last one month due to the road direction change. “The accidents usually happen at night as some residents are still unaware of the change,” he said. Emran added that there were no signs showing the way to the Taman City exit. “All we want is for them to change it back to a two-way road or if they can’t do that, provide an alternative route for us with proper signage, yellow box and traffic lights,” he said. Lim, on the other hand, asked DBKL to build a road next to the Jalan 4/42A as it is located a little further from the DUKE exit. “If DBKL still feels it’s dangerous, they can place traffic lights at the junction,” he said.

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