Why Supporters of The Green Corridor Should Support Bukit Brown Too

December 16, 2011 by  
Filed under News

The Green Corridor is a former railway while Bukit Brown is a cemetery, so different yet so similar. The Green Corridor and Bukit Brown both connects the past and future, and both involves heritage and the environment. I hope that all of you can support the preservation of Bukit Brown, just as you have actively supported The Green Corridor so far.

I supported The Green Corridor proposal by NSS because I feel that it would improve Singapore’s long-term resilience. The biggest threat to Singapore is apathy, and when Singaporeans do not feel a sense of belonging and are not bothered with what goes on here, then Singapore is in trouble.

For Singapore to survive and prosper in the long term, it is necessary to have more opportunities in preserving our shared memories and creating our shared vision. And keeping the railway lands as a Green Corridor is one opportunity not to be wasted.

Similarly, I feel that Bukit Brown is another excellent opportunity that enables Singaporeans to feel they belong here by remembering our past and creating our future. Read more

“Journey of Possibilities” – Ideas Competition for the Rail Corridor

December 1, 2011 by  
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Press Release by URA, 30 Nov 2011.

The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) announced today the launch of an Ideas Competition titled “Journey of Possibilities” for the Rail Corridor. The Ideas Competition is intended to draw innovative and fresh new ideas from the public in addressing some of the key challenges and issues in planning for the future use of the Rail Corridor.

Since the return of the former railway land to Singapore on 1 July 2011, the Rail Corridor project has garnered widespread public interest. From the feedback we received, it is clear that there are many more people out there who would like to make tangible contributions towards the envisioning of the Rail Corridor’s future. In order to create the window of opportunity for all to participate in this project, the URA is conducting the Ideas Competition from 30 November 2011 to 9 March 2012. Read more

Stripping of KTM railway track completed

October 31, 2011 by  
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By Channel NewsAsia, 31 Oct 2011.

The stripping of the 23-kilometre KTM railway track from Tanjong Pagar to Woodlands has been completed following the handover of the KTM land and the Tanjong Pagar railway station to Singapore this year, Malaysia media reported.

Dr Aminuddin Adnan, KTMB President, said the tracks weighed a total 2,500 tonnes, out of which about seventy percent have been transported back to Malaysia.

The rest, which was still being placed at a temporary storage area in Kranji, will be sent back to the country by the middle of next month.

The Malaysian press has also reported that part of the track would be showcased in KTMB museums as a historical exhibit while others will be kept for future use on KTMB tracks throughout the country.

Read more

Source: Channel NewsAsia

Walk down KTM memory lane at Rail Corridor

October 3, 2011 by  
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By Channel NewsAsia, 3 Oct 2011.

An exhibition that explores several ideas on how different pockets of space at the former Malaysian railway land can be used was held on Monday.

The initiative is part of a series of events dedicated to increasing public awareness of the tract of KTM railway land returned to Singapore.

Called “Re-Imagining the Rail Corridor” the exhibition showcased some preliminary ideas from architecture and landscape students as well as design professionals.

Minister of State for National Development Brigadier-General (NS) Tan Chuan-Jin, who chairs the Rail Corridor Consultation Group, said he hopes the final design will incorporate all ideas that the Urban Redevelopment Authority has been receiving.

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Source: Channel NewsAsia

‘Rail Corridor’ endorsed by consultation group to be final project name

October 3, 2011 by  
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Minister of State (MOS) for National Development Mr Tan Chuan-Jin announced today during a visit to the Re-imagining the Rail Corridor exhibition that the ‘Rail Corridor’ (铁道走廊) will be the final project name for development plans for the former railway land.

The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) had used ‘Rail Corridor’ as the working name for this project when the former railway land was returned to Singapore on 1 July 2011. A website was launched on the same day to gather feedback and ideas from the public in shaping the future development plans for the former railway land, including suggestions for a name for the project.

A total of 158 suggestions on the project name were received on the website as at the closing date on 31 July 2011. “Rail Corridor’ was one of the top three most suggested project names received. The other two project names were ‘Rail Trail’ and ‘Green Corridor’. Read more

Ex-railway station an event venue?

October 3, 2011 by  
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By Imelda Saad, Channel NewsAsia, 2 Oct 2011.

Singapore authorities said they would consider opening part of the former Tanjong Pagar Railway Station as an event venue.

Other possibilities include having tours at the site.

This follows some suggestions on how the space could be used in the interim before any development plans are firmed up.

It has been three months since the former Malayan Railway land was handed over to Singapore.

Already, some 40 per cent of railway tracks have been dismantled.

The former workers’ quarters are now vacant, and the land around the former Tanjong Pagar railway station left bare.

There has been a series of public consultation on how the area can be best utilised.

Read more

Source: Channel NewsAsia

Paradise once lost, can’t be regained

September 7, 2011 by  
Filed under News

By Paul Gilfeather, Today, 7 Sep 2011.

While major cities around the world search for the money and means to establish quality green spaces for its population, Singapore appears to have hit the jackpot with the closure of the Malaysian railway line.

As the last train pulled out of Tanjong Pagar Station in July there was an outpouring of sadness as Singaporeans young and old turned out to mark the end of another chapter in the country’s history.

Now, as the planners and politicians fix their sights on the future of the now-defunct track, the environmental lobby has stolen a march by unveiling their “green corridor” concept. The genius and beauty of the proposal is in its simplicity. The plan is to do absolutely nothing to the stretch of natural beauty and I can’t help but feel excited at the prospect.

Read more

Source: Today

Part of Jurong Line in master plan

September 3, 2011 by  
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By Esther Ng, Today, 3 Sep 2011.

It might not be as well known as the main line but a 2.5km stretch of the old Jurong Line – which passes through the steel bridge over Ulu Pandan Canal – will be included in the conceptual master planning of the rail corridor, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) has told Today.

The URA explained that parts of the Jurong Line have been committed to, or are undergoing development work. For instance, the installation of new roads at the International Business Park and the Faber residential estate will improve traffic and “facilitate future developments”, said a URA spokesperson.

“The former Jurong Line is not part of the main line from Tanjong Pagar to Woodlands and has been abandoned for many years. In some places, the rail line has been turfed over or is in a severe state of disrepair,” the spokesperson added.

Read more

Source: Today

Old Bukit Timah Railway Station to be opened to public

September 3, 2011 by  
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By Esther Ng, Today, 3 Sep 2011.

Allaying concerns that the removal of the KTM railway tracks would damage the flora and fauna, Law Minister K Shanmugam yesterday invited nature groups and the media to view a stretch of the tracks and the old Bukit Timah Railway Station, which will be opened to the public on Sept 16.

Mr Shanmugam said: “I’ve been assured, in this area, that none of the trees have been taken down. (There is) very little damage to the vegetation … I think people can see for themselves.”

The 1.4km stretch to be re-opened starts southwards from the steel bridge along Bukit Timah Road and runs past the old station, which will be conserved.

Read more

Source: Today

Part of KTM railway land to be reopened

September 3, 2011 by  
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By Grace Chua, The Straits Times, 3 Sep 2011.

Those who flocked to Bukit Timah railway station in the wake of the closure of the Tanjong Pagar station can do so again from Sept 16.

A 1.4km stretch in Bukit Timah of the former Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) railway land is the first section to have rail-removal works completed and will be reopened to the public.

But the tracks and equipment at the Bukit Timah railway station and the black steel bridge across Bukit Timah Road have been retained.

The 26km tract from Woodlands to Tanjong Pagar reverted to Singapore in July, and as agreed with Malaysia, most tracks and other structures are being removed and returned by Dec 31. The stretch is also being turfed over.

Read more

Source: The Straits Times via Wildsingapore

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