11 structures near former Bt Timah railway station being demolished
By Lip Kwok Wai, Channel NewsAsia, 25 Dec 2012.
Since last month, demolition works have been carried out on 11 small buildings and structures near the former Bukit Timah Railway Station.
The works are expected to be completed next month.
The structures include gate huts along the Rail Corridor at Bukit Gombak, Stagmont Ring, Sungei Kadut, Blackmore Drive and Tanglin Halt.
Many of the huts were work stations of railway workers previously.
The Singapore Land Authority (SLA) says the structures have been assessed to be structurally unsound, and are being demolished for safety reasons. Read more
Removal of structures along Rail Corridor [Announcements]
By SLA, 26 Nov 2012.
The Singapore Land Authority will be demolishing unsound buildings and structures along the rail corridor starting 26 November 2012. This is expected to be completed by 31 January 2013. For safety reasons, the public is advised to keep clear of the area.
Please refer to the list of FAQs for more details.
FAQs on the removal of buildings and structures along rail corridor
1. When will demolition work begin? What is the timeline?
The demolition works will begin on 26 November 2012. The works are expected to be completed by 31 January 2013.
2. How many buildings or structures will be demolished in total?
In total, 11 buildings and structures will be demolished. Some of these buildings/structures include two buildings and a gate hut at Gombak Gate, a temporary structure at Blackmore Drive and a gate hut at Sungei Kadut Gate. Read more
Tanjong Pagar Railway Station marks anniversary of its closure
By Melissa Chong, Channel NewsAsia, 1 Jul 2012.
It has been one year since the closure of the Tanjong Pagar Railway Station.
On Sunday, visitors got a chance to explore the heritage site.
For the early risers, there were guided tours organised by the Nature Society of Singapore.
Others chose to hike the entire 10 kilometres from Bukit Timah to the Tanjong Pagar Railway Station.
But the highlight was the station itself, where over 100 visitors turned up to learn about its architecture and history.
“Many things can’t be experienced in a shopping centre, so every weekend I will take my daughter to visit different buildings and get close to nature,” said one visitor.
“The railway corridor is a nice stretch of greenery. It’s peaceful and you see abit of wildlife like birds and insects… So it’s quite nice and scenic,” said another.
Source: Channel NewsAsia
Revisiting the Rail Corridor, a year later…
By Lisa Oon, my paper, 2 Jul 2012.
For Mr J. Tang, 57, a technical officer, going to Tanjong Pagar Railway Station yesterday brought back memories.
Only five when he moved to Singapore from Thailand with his parents, he remembers fondly the days when he stepped into the station.
He recalls eating fried rice and eggs done sunny side up on the train. “I still remember the taste,” he said.
He and his 23-year-old daughter were among 300 members of the public who visited the Rail Corridor since it was closed down a year ago.
The Tanjong Pagar station was open to visitors yesterday from 8am to 5pm.
Some adventurous visitors embarked on a four-hour trek from Bukit Timah Railway Station to Tanjong Pagar. The event was organised by Friends of the Rail Corridor and Nature Society (Singapore).
Source: my paper
Clementi gardeners get to stay
By Grace Chua, The Straits Times, 16 May 2012.
A compromise has been reached between the Government and the people farming illegally in Clementi.
All 18 who had been tending to crops near Sungei Ulu Pandan will get to stay, but on a smaller plot of land. They will also pay $60 a year to continue farming there.
Member of Parliament Sim Ann said yesterday that when the farmers’ activity came to light in March this year, the Government’s task was to give them ‘a legitimate outlet for their passion for planting’. ‘The legal position is clear – whatever the background reason, encroachment on state land is illegal,’ said Ms Sim, who had been leading the talks between the gardeners and the various government agencies involved. Read more
President Tan urges govt not to rush plans for Rail Corridor
By Sharon See, Channel NewsAsia, 2 May 2012.
President Tony Tan Keng Yam has urged the government to not rush into coming up with a plan for the Rail Corridor.
He said it is more important to take time to wait for good ideas to come forth.
“Don’t rush into doing things (and) say ‘We must have a plan and we must finish it by 2-3 years’ time’… (Let’s) take our time to study the possibilities,” said Dr Tan.
He was speaking after visiting the “Journey of Possibilities” exhibition at the URA Centre on Wednesday.
The exhibition features about 80 entries comprising 18 winning ideas, 19 honourable mentions, as well as other innovative entries received for Urban Redevelopment Authority’s Ideas Competition. The exhibition also showcases some of the interesting feedback and suggestions received on URA’s Rail Corridor website since its launch in July last year. Read more
URA establishes Rail Corridor Partnership to explore and promote community activities along Rail Corridor
Press Release by URA.
2 May 2012 – The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) announced today the formation of a Rail Corridor Partnership to look into the programming and promotion of community activities along the Rail Corridor. The Partnership is an expansion of the Rail Corridor Consultation Group, which was formed last July to provide input to the government on charting the future development plans for the Rail Corridor.
With the re-opening of the Rail Corridor on 9 January 2012, the Partnership will look for opportunities to promote community use of the space that spans the entire width of the island from north to south. Representatives from agencies such as the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, Singapore Sports Council, and People’s Association will join the Partnership to further foster public-people sector collaboration along the Rail Corridor. Read more
Tanjong Pagar and Bukit Timah Railway Stations open for short-term uses
4 April 2012 – The former Bukit Timah Railway Station (BTRS) and Tanjong Pagar Railway Station (TPRS) have received much public interest since last year. They were on the land formerly occupied by the Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) which has reverted to the State. The Singapore Land Authority (SLA) has completed removal works along the former railway land, which has been levelled and turfed end of 2011.
2. Over the past few months, SLA has received several requests from the public to use the former BTRS and TPRS for community events, sports activities and exhibitions. SLA is pleased to announce that the former BTRS and TPRS are now open to individuals and organisations for ad-hoc activities and events, subject to SLA’s terms and conditions.
3. It is hoped that such activities and events will inject vibrancy and life to the two buildings and the surrounding area. Both the TPRS and the BTRS are a part of Singapore’s heritage, with the former being gazetted as a national monument, while BTRS has been conserved. Read more
Winning ideas for Rail Corridor unveiled at launch of “Journey of Possibilities” exhibition
Press Release By URA, 30 March 2012.
Eighteen winning ideas were unveiled at the launch of Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA)’s “Journey of Possibilities” exhibition and awards presentation ceremony today at the URA Centre Atrium.
Minister of State for National Development Tan Chuan-Jin presented prizes to the 18 winners during the launch of the “Journey of Possibilities” exhibition which will open from today to 11 May 2012. Another 19 ideas were recognised as “honourable mentions” for their creativity and surprising qualities. The winners will be sharing their ideas at a Public Presentation following the awards presentation ceremony. Read more
More time for illegal ‘farmers’ at state land, Clementi Ave 4
Press Release from SLA
20 March 2012 – The Singapore Land Authority (SLA) recently received feedback from residents of Clementi Ave 4 on the frequent burning of leaves and branches on the State land near Block 305 Clementi Avenue 4which has affected the quality of air for the residents there and also poses a potential fire hazard. This State land was part of the land formerly occupied by Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) which has reverted to the State.
2. Upon investigations, apart from widespread burnt patches of ground, it was also found that some individuals had not only encroached on state land for their private purposes but also fenced up parcels of land for their exclusive use, and also illegally erected makeshift sheds and an outdoor toilet. Several stagnant ponds of water which are potential mosquito breeding grounds were also found. Read more
