Singapore-Malaysia cross-border transport agreement and opportunities
By Paul Barter, May 31, 2010.
Singapore’s bicycle community has noticed that last week’s agreement on the Malayan Railways (KTM) corridor could create a wonderful bikeway opportunity. So far, this angle has had no media attention. More on this at the end but first I want to reflect on the wider issues in the agreement.
My 2006 paper on this (pdf; publisher site) discussed three main aspects and the latest announcement relates to all three (as well as several other issues, such as cross-border taxis, buses and revived plans for a cross-border mass transit system to connect with Singapore’s MRT). Read more
Having to bid farewell to another old friend?
By Jerome Lim, 24 May 2010.
It was with sadness that I read the news about the impending closure of the Tanjong Pagar Railway Station in July next year, which was announced today. It has very much been a part of the Singapore that I grew up loving, one that I first became acquainted with on the makan trails that may parents led us on from the heights of Mount Faber. What the news release does not say is whether the station which has served for so long, providing many of us, including myself, with many memories of adventures on the railway to the Federation or Malaya as we may have referred to to it back then, will have to go, as both Malaysia, which owns the station and the railway land, and Singapore seek to jointly redevelop the parcels of land around the railway.
The entrance to Tanjong Pagar Railway Station with the four pillars of Malaya’s economy, Agriculture, Commerce, Transport and Industry. Read more
Faber access road: Joint effort by agencies to minimise environmental impact
Straits Times Forum, 18 Mar 11.
WE THANK Ms Bhavani Prakash for her feedback (‘Don’t cut a road across the green corridor’; March 8).
We understand the concerns that the construction of the new access road into the Faber area could affect the environment. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) had taken this into consideration when planning this new access road.
We are working closely with the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and National Parks Board (NParks) to minimise any impact on the existing environment and the number of trees affected.
Source: Straits Times via Wildsingapore
Don’t cut a road across the green corridor
Straits Times Forum, 8 Mar 11.
THE eagerness with which we want to make life easy for motorists is a narrow paradigm (‘Faber residents squawk over road plan’; last Wednesday).
The Land Transport Authority must design the city for people and not for cars. Perhaps traffic can be eased if we made it easier for people to cycle and walk, which is what the Nature Society (Singapore)’s plan for the green corridor envisions: a 40km stretch for eco-friendly and less carbon-intensive passage.
The corridor could become an iconic regional attraction, which can be propped up by an economic model that earns revenue. It would also preserve our ecology and heritage for generations – a real winner for all.
Source: Straits Times via Wildsingapore
Faber residents squawk over road plan
Access road that LTA is set to build will cut through area of greenery where wild birds live
By Amanda Tan Straits Times 2 Mar 11.
THE Land Transport Authority’s (LTA) decision to build a road in Clementi has ruffled the feathers of nature lovers living in the area.
Work has started on the 1km road aimed at easing congestion along Jalan Lempeng, which connects to Clementi Avenue 6.
The new road, which gives a direct link to Commonwealth Avenue West, will cut through an area of greenery where residents said wild birds such as the long-tailed parakeet and Tanimbar Corella are regularly sighted.
Source: Straits Times via Wildsingapore
A green track to a talent haven
Making a nature corridor of the soon-to-be-available railway land could have tangible economic benefits
By Richard Hartung ,Today Online, 20 Oct 10.
The narrow corridor of railway land that will become available once the train station shifts from Tanjong Pagar to Woodlands seems almost too good to be true, and discussion about how to use the land is heating up.
On the one hand, developers are salivating over potential parcels of land for development all across the island. On the other, the Nature Society Singapore (NSS) has proposed turning the land into a green corridor, with its president Shawn Lum saying that “connecting green strips along the railway land” would have tremendous environmental benefits.
What both NSS and the developers may have missed, however, is the economic benefits that Singapore could gain from keeping the corridor as an urban greenway and turning Singapore into an even more attractive destination for top talent. The real question, then, may be whether Singapore can afford not to keep that corridor intact.
Source: Today Online via Wildsingapore
‘Nature corridor’ proposal for railway land
Nature Society’s idea incorporates cycling paths, recreational areas
By Jeremy Au Yong, Straits Times, 9 Oct 10.
THE Nature Society of Singapore is close to finishing a proposal to convert the 40km stretch of Malayan Railway land here into a green corridor.
It would contain cycling paths connecting different neighbourhoods to the town centre, and recreational spaces. It would also be home to many of Singapore’s native plants and animals.
The proposal seeks to preserve the railway tracks, which the society regards as an important part of Singapore’s history.
But some property analysts say the proposal will be a hard sell. And even if it is approved, a nature corridor can at best last for a decade or two. The railway corridor will inevitably be developed, for there are sound reasons to incorporate the land into development plans.
Source: Straits Times via Wildsingapore
Deal on KTM land swop
By Lydia Lim, Sep 20, 2010.
SINGAPORE and Malaysia have agreed on a revised land swop deal on the Malayan Railway land following breakthrough talks between the leaders of both countries on Monday.
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak accepted offer by Singapore for four land parcels in Marina South and two pieces in Orphir-Rochor in exchange for three parcels of KTM land in Tanjong Pagar, Kranji and Woodlands, and three pieces in Bukit Timah.
M-S Pte Ltd, a 60-40 joint venture between Khazanah Nasional Bhd and Temasek Holding, will handle the six Singapore land land parcels for joint development when KTM vacates the Tanjong Pagar railway station to the Woodlands train checkpoint by July next year. Malaysia will also co-locate its railway Custom, Immigration and Quarantine (CIA) facilities to the Woodland checkpoint.
Source: Straits Times
KTMB station in Tanjong Pagar to relocate to Woodlands by July 2011
By S Ramesh, 24 May 2010.
SINGAPORE: Singapore and Malaysia capped a historic day in relations on Monday with agreement on a long outstanding bilateral issue.
After 20 years, both sides have arrived at a solution on the Malayan Railway Land in Singapore.
The leaders of the two countries agreed to move the station at the heart of the city centre in Tanjong Pagar to Woodlands Train checkpoint, near the border by the 1 July 2011.
The smiles said it all – of a retreat that has been fruitful with significant moves.
The centrepiece must surely be the issue of the railway land and lines, spelt out in the Points of Agreement (POA) signed in 1990.
Source: Channel NewsAsia
Familiarisation trip along Jurong Line for volunteers [9 Apr] – Cancelled
[This trip is cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. We apologise for the inconvenience caused.]
We are conducting 2 special familiarisation trips along the old Jurong Line on 3 Apr (8-11am) and 9 Apr (3-6pm) to train people who are willing to help us lead future walks at the Jurong Line. If you are interested, express your interest here and we will contact you soon.
