PAID PARKING SCHEMES IN PRIVATE HOUSING ESTATES

Mr Eric Cheong Yuen Chee asked the Minister for National Development why the Urban Redevelopment Authority has implemented paid parking schemes in some private housing estates outside the Central Business District instead of allowing private enterprises to operate such facilities.

Mr Teh Cheang Wan: Mr Speaker, Sir, the private sector is allowed to operate paid parking schemes inside as well as outside the Central Business District (CBD) on their land. However, in the case of some private housing estates outside the CBD, like Serangoon Gardens, the URA has to move in to introduce paid parking in order to weed out indiscriminate parking. This action is only taken at the request of residents. The car parking lots introduced are all kerbside parking lots on public roads. By this means, URA as the car parking authority is able to eliminate disorderly kerbside parking and clear the roads of obstruction.