Measures to be taken to make Sengkang junction safer

SINGAPORE: The authorities will put in place several measures in the next two months to make the junction at Sengkang East Way and Sengkang East Drive safer for motorists, cyclists and residents.

Caretaker Member of Parliament (MP) for Punggol East Single Member Constituency (SMC), Mr Teo Ser Luck, said he has discussed the measures with the Traffic Police and Land Transport Authority.

Mr Teo, who is covering the ward vacated by former MP Michael Palmer, told reporters on Sunday morning that the measures aim to control the speed limits of vehicles.

Sengkang East Drive has a speed limit of 70 kilometres per hour, but motorists tend to go faster as it is a straight road.

There will be warning signs to inform motorists of the "speed check area" to control traffic flow.

Enforcement of the speed checks will be stepped up.

The pedestrian crossing will have a timer for pedestrians know how much time they will have to cross the road.

A red light camera will be installed at the junction, but this will take some time to complete.

Mr Teo said over the past few months, accidents in the area have been declining due to traffic police enforcement.

"We don’t want to wait for things to happen before we do anything. If we know that this is a potential accident—prone area, we are going to do something about this," said Mr Teo.

"I am concerned that there may be near—accidents and near—accidents are not reported. If residents have brought it up quite often, we need to address it before something happens."

Mr Teo, who is also a MP for Pasir Ris—Punggol Group Representation Constituency and Minister of State for Trade and Industry, was also asked on other developments in Punggol East, amid the interest shown by several opposition parties to contest if or when a by—election is called.

He said the decision by several opposition parties to stake their interest would only give residents more choices.

At the end of the day, he said it is all about serving the residents effectively and serving them well.

Mr Teo said: "To be fair to the residents of Punggol Central, I am their representative and they have voted for me. I should serve them. But to be fair to the residents of Punggol East area, I have been tasked to cover this area, I want to do the best I can and serve both sides for the time being."

Mr Teo said since he started looking after the ward, he has been receiving several emails from Punggol East residents concerning municipal issues, neighbourhood and cleanliness matters, as well as the success rate of flat applications.

Mr Teo will conduct formal meet—the—people sessions in Punggol East from January 8.

— CNA/xq