BACKLANE LIGHTINGS

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BACKLANE LIGHTINGS: **

(Funding): **

29.

Dr Fatimah Lateef asked the Minister for Transport what sources of funding, apart from the Community Improvement Projects Committee funds, can be tapped on to light up the dark areas of backlanes in order to enhance safety and security of the vicinity.

Mr Raymond Lim Siang Keat: Dr Fatimah Lateef asked what sources of funding are available to light up backlanes, apart from Community Improvement Projects Committee (CIPC) funds.

Currently, all backlane lighting is provided through CIPC funds. In 2007, MND accepted the recommendation of the Committee on Private Estates to extend the CIPC scheme to private estates, to fund minor improvement works there. To implement this recommendation, I understand that MND has decided to expand the existing Estate

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Upgrading Programme for private estates, to fund small-scale improvement works subject to stipulated cost caps. Such works will include backlane lighting. I also understand from MND that details of this new scheme are being worked out, and that in the meantime MND will continue to process funding applications for backlane lighting under the CIPC scheme. As such, Dr Fatimah could continue to engage MND and the CIPC on the issue of funding backlane lighting.

I would like to take this opportunity to clarify that the Land Transport Authority (LTA) is an implementing agent for MND to physically build and repair infrastructure funded under the CIPC scheme. LTA is not in a position to fund the lighting of backlanes, which will be provided under the Estate Upgrading Programme when it is extended to private estates. In the meantime, if there is a need for lighting for non-transport reasons, such as better security or to meet the local community's needs, I understand that MND will continue to process applications under the CIPC scheme.