LOADING AND UNLOADING OF GOODS FROM VEHICLES (Relaxation of restriction)

Mr Ho See Beng asked the Minister for National Development and Communications, in view of the ease of traffic on the roads within the Central Business District between the hours of 7.30 a.m. and 10.15 a.m., whether he will consider allowing the loading and unloading of goods to be carried out in places where these have been prohibited, for instance, North Bridge Road and Victoria Street.

The Senior Minister of State for Communications (Mr Ong Teng Cheong) (for the Minister for National Development and Communications): Mr Speaker, Sir, the prohibition of loading and unloading of goods from vehicles parked at the side of certain roads is necessary because of a number of factors, for example, traffic conditions, physical terrain and the capacity of the road and the need to facilitate the flow of public transport vehicles. Presently the "No Stopping" restriction, which also restricts loading and unloading, is in operation along some busy roads within the Central Business District. The purpose of creating such clear ways is to avoid sterilisation of traffic lanes and obstruction of roads by goods vehicles during peak hours. This restriction is only operative from 7.30 a.m. to 9.30 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. to 7.00 p.m. from Mondays to Fridays and from 7.30 a.m. to 9.30 a.m. and 11.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. on Saturdays. There is no restriction on Sundays and public holidays.

The Registry of Vehicles, the Traffic Police and the Public Works Department (Roads Branch) are now looking into the possibility of lifting the restriction along certain roads within the Central Business District between the hours of 7.30 a.m. and 10.15 a.m. In this review priority will continue to be given to facilitating the movement of buses. Loading and unloading will be allowed only if traffic flow is not impeded as a result.

Mr Ho See Beng (Khe Bong): Mr Speaker, Sir, may I ask the Senior Minister of State, when he received this question, why did the Department concerned not take the trouble to do a survey of North Bridge Road and Victoria Street?

Mr Ong Teng Cheong: Sir, I am sure that when the scheme of clear ways was introduced as early as 1974, surveys had been conducted. With the introduction of the Area Licensing Scheme in 1975 the situation perhaps has changed slightly for the better, and that is why a review is going on at this stage.