Upgraded Market and Food Centre at Block 210, Toa Payoh

Mrs Lina Chiam asked the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources (a) what is the total cost for the renovation and upgrading of the market and food centre at Blk 210 Toa Payoh Lorong 8; (b) before and after the renovation, whether the Ministry had received any feedback and complaints from the local residents on the newly upgraded market and food centre; and (c) if so, what are the feedback and complaints.

Dr Vivian Balakrishnan: The Market/Hawker Centre at Block 210 Toa Payoh Lorong 8 was upgraded under the Hawker Centres Upgrading Programme (HUP) from 1 November 2010 to 30 September 2011 at a cost of $4.5 million. Prior to the upgrading, we gathered feedback from the stallholders and addressed their concerns on poor cross ventilation by reconfiguring the stall layout and introducing a new exhaust food and flue system for better ventilation.

Since the Centre resumed business on 1 October 2011, we have received positive feedback from stallholders and residents. They appreciate the more comfortable dining environment because of better ventilation, larger circulation area and increased seating capacity. We also received some feedback that the lighting in several areas can be further improved and NEA is looking into this.

We noted that in the first few days of the Centre's opening, there were some teething problems with the table-cleaning services as the new contractor was initially unfamiliar with the centre. The matter has since been resolved. NEA will continue to work closely with the Hawkers Association and the Potong Pasir Town Council to ensure that the common areas are kept clean.

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