HOUSING ESTATES SIDEWALKS

HOUSING ESTATES SIDEWALKS

34.

Assoc. Prof. Paulin Tay Straughan asked the Minister for National Development (a) if there are specifications for the width of sidewalks in housing estates, especially those in estates with landed property; (b) if these specifications allow for wheelchair access; and (c) what measures are taken to ensure that the sidewalks are not obstructed by parked vehicles, trash disposal bins and potted plants.

Mr Mah Bow Tan: The Barrier-Free Accessibility (BFA) code specifies a minimum footpath width of 1.2m to accommodate wheelchair users [2]. New sidewalks built in both public and private housing estates have to comply with this minimum width. This is regulated under the Street Works Act which is administered by the Land Transport Authority (LTA).

For private housing estates, LTA has stipulated a width of 1.2 metres for new pedestrian footpaths along local access roads. A larger width of 1.5 metres is stipulated for footpaths along major roads and also for HDB estates. For existing sidewalks in private estates where the widths may be sub-standard, LTA will improve the width to the current standard where conditions permit.

For public housing estates, Town Councils, in implementing the BFA programme, will provide a comprehensive network of barrier-free paths to connect between HDB blocks and the facilities and amenities within HDB neighbourhoods. There are also wheelchair accessible routes in HDB estates along strategic locations such as footpaths leading to blocks near lift lobbies and staircases.

LTA and the Town Councils can take action against owners to remove obstructions such as trash disposal bins and potted plants at the sidewalks, while the Singapore Police Force (SPF) can fine car owners for illegal parking if they obstruct the sidewalks. More

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importantly, we should encourage greater community ownership whereby residents do their part to be considerate to their neighbours and to the community at large by keeping the sidewalks clear of obstructions.

[2] A typical wheelchair is about 0.9-metre wide.

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