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Plans to make Waterloo Street vehicle-free opposed

29 Sep 2013|3,507 views

A plan raised in Parliament last month to make Waterloo Street pedestrian-only has met some opposition from residents and several religious groups.

A portion of the street - near the popular Sri Krishnan and Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho temples - is already a no-car zone

"Sound really travels here so organisers need to take into consideration the possible noise pollution it may cause for elderly folk living in the flats nearby," said Mr Ang Kwan San, 50, a factory worker who lives in Block 264.

The area is home to a host of religious landmarks, including the Church of Saints Peter and Paul and Sri Krishnan Temple - both of which were founded in 1870 - and the 135-year old Maghain Aboth Synagogue.

Several of these organisations, which are busiest on weekends, believe opening up more of the street to throngs of pedestrians could make the situation more hectic. "I think the worshippers expect peace and serenity where possible," said Kum Yan Methodist Church pastor Law Poh Ing.

But the street is also flanked by museums and arts facilities such as Dance Ensemble Singapore and Sculpture Square, which are managed by the National Arts Council. And these arts groups, along with food outlets there, believe the plan will revitalise the two-way street which stretches from Rochor Road to Bras Basah Road.

The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) has been meeting operators of art establishments at Waterloo Street for feedback. A URA spokesman said it would engage other stakeholders before firming plans to 'enhance the public realm on Waterloo Street'.

The tenants whom the local paper spoke to said they were told that widened pathways for pedestrians will be ready by 2015. Queen Street, where road enhancement works started earlier this year, could also be part of the plan to partially close Waterloo Street.

Last month, Ang Mo Kio GRC MP Ang Hin Kee asked Mr. Lawrence Wong, Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, whether the ministry would consider closing Short Street in Rochor or Waterloo Street to vehicles once a month for arts and cultural initiatives.

Mr. Wong said the suggestion would be studied, with the Government already looking to provide more space for arts and cultural initiatives around Waterloo Street.

Pedestrian-only streets have been a hit for revellers and businesses in areas such as Club Street and Ann Siang Road. But a plan raised in Parliament last month to extend this to Waterloo Street, where religion and the arts create an eclectic mix, has met some opposition, reported The Sunday Times.

"Sound really travels here so organisers need to take into consideration the possible noise pollution it may cause for elderly folk living in the flats nearby," said Mr Ang Kwan San, 50, a factory worker who lives in Block 264.

The area is home to a host of religious landmarks, including the Church of Saints Peter and Paul and Sri Krishnan Temple - both of which were founded in 1870 - and the 135-year old Maghain Aboth Synagogue.

Several of these organisations, which are busiest on weekends, believe opening up more of the street to throngs of pedestrians could make the situation more hectic. "I think the worshippers expect peace and serenity where possible," said Kum Yan Methodist Church pastor Law Poh Ing.

But the street is also flanked by museums and arts facilities such as Dance Ensemble Singapore and Sculpture Square, which are managed by the National Arts Council. And these arts groups, along with food outlets there, believe the plan will revitalise the two-way street which stretches from Rochor Road to Bras Basah Road.

The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) has been meeting operators of art establishments at Waterloo Street for feedback. A URA spokesman said it would engage other stakeholders before firming plans to 'enhance the public realm on Waterloo Street'.

The tenants whom the local paper spoke to said they were told that widened pathways for pedestrians will be ready by 2015. Queen Street, where road enhancement works started earlier this year, could also be part of the plan to partially close Waterloo Street.

Last month, Ang Mo Kio GRC MP Ang Hin Kee asked Mr. Lawrence Wong, Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, whether the ministry would consider closing Short Street in Rochor or Waterloo Street to vehicles once a month for arts and cultural initiatives.

Mr. Wong said the suggestion would be studied, with the Government already looking to provide more space for arts and cultural initiatives around Waterloo Street.