SERANGOON GARDEN ESTATE (Construction of car parks in business area)

Dr Lau Teik Soon asked the Minister for National Development if he will consider the construction of carparks in the business area in Serangoon Garden Estate.

The Minister of State for National Development (Mr Lee Yock Suan) (for the Minister for National Development): Mr Speaker, Sir, the URA will consider building a car park on the vacant plot of land adjacent to the Serangoon Gardens market. Paid parking will have to be introduced to cover the construction and maintenance costs of the car park and to prevent motorists from monopolizing the limited parking space. Paid parking will also have to be introduced for all parking space, including kerbside parking, in the business area in Serangoon Gardens. It would be pointless to build a car park if motorists avoid it to enjoy free parking nearby. The new car park will then not help to solve the parking problem. On the other hand, paid parking, together with a new car park, should ease the parking problem in the Serangoon Gardens business area.

Dr Lau Teik Soon: Mr Speaker, Sir, will the Minister of State consider consulting the Serangoon Gardens CCC and the area committee members with regard to this question of paid parking?

Mr Lee Yock Suan: Mr Speaker, Sir, I will ask the URA officials to consult the hon. Member as well as his community leaders on this question.