CONTINUITY BETWEEN BUKIT TIMAH NATURE RESERVE AND CENTRAL CATCHMENT AREA (Restoration)

CONTINUITY BETWEEN BUKIT TIMAH NATURE RESERVE AND CENTRAL CATCHMENT AREA

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(Restoration): **

31.

Dr Geh Min asked the Minister for Transport whether the Land Transport Authority is considering restoring the continuity between Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and the Central Catchment Area and, if so, (i) how will this be effected; and (ii) will stakeholders be consulted at the conceptual and planning stage.

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: The Bukit Timah Expressway (BKE) runs between the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and the Central Catchment Area. The BKE was planned and designed in the late 70s and construction was completed in 1985. Then, it was a deliberate decision to adopt this route after due consultations among the relevant agencies, including URA and the predecessors of NParks and LTA. There are currently no plans to restore the continuity between Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and the Central Catchment Area.

My Ministry recognises that as our island becomes more built up, there is greater need to preserve our environment. However, in planning for road projects, the agencies involved have to balance the needs of preserving the environment and providing a comprehensive transport infrastructure to support our economic and social development, in the face of budgetary and space constraints.

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LTA will continue to work closely with URA and NParks as well as other stakeholders in the people, private and public sectors, to minimise any adverse impact on the environment when planning and undertaking transportation projects.

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