WIDENING AND STRAIGHTENING OF BEND AT MEYER ROAD

Mr Ng Yeow Chong asked the Minister for Law and National Development if he will take steps to widen or straighten the bend at Meyer Road opposite the former Sea View Hotel, in view of the many serious accidents at that point.

Mr Barker: Mr Speaker, Sir, the statement that there are many serious accidents at the bend of Meyer Road opposite the former Sea View Hotel is not strictly correct. In the past two years, there were about 10 minor accidents there, none of which resulted in any serious injury. In order to widen or straighten this bend at Meyer Road, expensive acquisition of land will have to be undertaken. Since this road only serves a residential area with a not very heavy traffic, there is, therefore, no justification to pursue such a course of action. However, to reduce the rate of accidents at this spot, steps are being taken to impose a speed limit of 20 miles per hour and it is felt that this measure, together with the existing double white line, should produce the desired effects.