REDEVELOPMENT OF AREAS OCCUPIED BY FORMER BRITISH ARMY QUARTERS ALONG AYER RAJAH ROAD AND WIDENING OF PASIR PANJANG ROAD AND AYER RAJAH ROAD

Encik Abbas Abu Amin asked the Minister for National Development whether his Ministry has any plans to (a) develop the areas occupied by the former British Army Quarters along Ayer Rajah Road, namely at Medway Park, Wessex Estate and Hyderabad Road; and (b) widen Pasir Panjang Road and Ayer Rajah Road so as to alleviate traffic congestion along these two main approaches to the Jurong Industrial Estate.

Mr Lee Yock Suan (for the Minister for National Development): Mr Speaker, Sir, there are no plans yet for the redevelopment of the areas occupied by the former British Army Quarters along Ayer Rajah Road, namely, at Medway Park, Wessex Estate and Hyderabad Road. However, these areas are suitable for comprehensive redevelopment, should there be a need for more intensive residential use in the longer term. Certain portions have been safeguarded for University and Science Park expansion.

There are 234 flats and semi-detached houses in Wessex Estate. These buildings are still in good condition. They are now let out to the public by HDB.

To cope with the projected increase in traffic between the City and Jurong, the PWD is implementing the Ayer Rajah Expressway project. This expressway will stretch from Shenton Way in the east to Jurong Town Hall Road in the west. Phase I of the project between Shenton Way and Gillman Circus is expected to be completed by the end of 1985. Phase II of the project involves the widening of Ayer Rajah and Upper Ayer Rajah Roads, and the construction of interchanges at the junctions with North Buona Vista Road, Clementi Road and Jurong Town Hall Road. This phase of the project is under planning. It is expected to commence in late 1984 and will be completed by mid-1987.

When the Ayer Rajah Expressway is completed, most of the Jurong-bound traffic from the City will make use of this Expressway and congestion along Pasir Panjang Road will be relieved. It is, therefore, not necessary to widen Pasir Panjang Road now.