KTM rail structures fall victim to graffiti
By Esther Ng, TODAY, 28 Jul 2011.
Nearly a fortnight after the Malayan Railway (KTM) tracks were closed to the public, graffiti has been spotted on the bridges, tracks and sleepers.
The vandals left their mark with correction fluid or used stones to scratch the surfaces.
During a briefing about the 26km rail corridor yesterday, Minister of State for National Development Tan Chuan-Jin appealed to Singaporeans not to “inscribe their names” or deface the structures. “In terms of policing, we do ask for civic consciousness. We don’t want to regulate or manage it in a way that it becomes obtrusive … We want to leave (the tracks) for everyone to share,” said Brigadier-General (NS) Tan.
Source: TODAY
No graffiti, pls!
No graffiti, pls! We have been informed that people have been leaving or scratching graffiti on the bridges, tracks and sleepers. We would like to remind everyone that we should treasure what we love and not deface them. Scratching graffiti on the steel bridges could damage the coating and accelerate rusting too.
Let’s leave the railway structures free of graffiti and allow everyone to enjoy them as we have done so. Thanks!
Preserve railway’s mechanical wonders
Letter by Dr John Elliott, The Straits Times, 26 Jul 2011.
I am delighted that a part of the KTM railway is to be preserved (“Parts of KTM railway to be retained”; last Saturday).
We should also preserve one of the old mechanical signals, several of which are to be found on the northern reaches.
These signals were mostly later replaced by electric lights (a set also visible near the Bukit Timah station) and are museum pieces. They are a triumph of mechanical engineering and exemplify the principle of levers. The weighted arm halfway up the mast was a safety feature. Should a wire break, the counterweight would fall and ensure the signal came to rest with the arm horizontal at “stop”. Crowds photographed these striking structures, which are still in working order.
Source: The Straits Times
Parts of KTM railway to be retained
By Grace Chua, The Straits Times, 23 Jul 2011.
Some sections of the former Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) railway tracks will be retained, the Nature Society and other heritage interest groups said yesterday.
They emerged from a meeting with government agencies to report that sections of the track at the now-defunct Tanjong Pagar and Bukit Timah railway stations, and those on two steel bridges at Dunearn Road and the Rail Mall, will be kept under existing plans to conserve the stations.
The civic society groups did not, however, have information on the length of these conserved sections. The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) confirmed the information following the meeting the groups had with Minister of State for National Development Tan Chuan-Jin and representatives from the Ministry of National Development and its associated agencies.
Source: The Straits Times via Wildsingapore
A temporary park connector? Minimise makeshift construction along former KTM railway line
Letter from Liew Kai Khiun, TODAY, 21 Jul 2011.
For the last fortnight, Singaporeans from all walks of life have been enthusiastically walking along the now defunct section of the Malayan Railway (KTM) route.
Among them have been ministers such as Brigadier-General (NS) Tan Chuan-Jin and Mr Khaw Boon Wan, who impressed with the possibility of conserving the route as a promising “Green Spine” and have urged the public to come forward with feedback.
However, even as many would like to contribute their ideas towards this concept – which may take years to evolve, according to BG (NS) Tan – several concerns have been raised about public access to this route as well as to the existing historical and natural features along it after the end of this month.
Source: TODAY
Many bid final goodbyes to the KTM railway tracks
By Tan Weizhen, TODAY, 18 Jul 2011.
Hordes of people – including three presidential hopefuls and National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan – turned up yesterday to bid a nostalgic goodbye to the KTM railway tracks, which will be closed from today for works.
A three-kilometre stretch of the tracks – from Rifle Range Road to the Rail Mall – will remain open till the end of the month.
Many were with their family and dogs – after Mr Khaw had invited people to bring their pets and join him for the walk – to take one last jaunt along the 26-km green stretch. For some, it had been a regular haunt. Others showed up out of curiosity.
Those who spoke to Today reiterated their hope that the stretch would be conserved.
Source: TODAY
KTM greenery to be preserved: Khaw
By Fiona Low, The Straits Times, 18 Jul 2011.
The iconic tracks of the KTM railway will be dismantled from today, but Minister for National Development Khaw Boon Wan assured the public that the lush greenery surrounding them will be preserved.
Walking the tracks with his family and pet chihuahua Tammy yesterday evening, the minister added that after the tracks are dismantled, parts of the path will be reopened to the public again.
Speaking to reporters after the walk, Mr Khaw said there were many possibilities for housing development in the areas currently occupied by the tracks.
‘But we will do it in a way where we can still preserve this green spine. I’m quite sure it can be done and it will be very nice. We can have urban development but still maintain the greenery,’ he said.
Source: The Straits Times via Wildsingapore
Three presidential hopefuls join railway buzz
By Qiuyi Tan and Evelyn Choo, Channel NewsAsia, 17 July 2011.
It’s the last day the full 26-kilometre stretch of the KTM Railway from Tanjong Pagar to Woodlands is open to the public.
And adding to the buzz on the tracks were three presidential hopefuls – Tan Cheng Bock, Tan Kin Lian and Tan Jee Say.
When asked, Dr Tan Cheng Bock said he was checking out what he called a “hot topic”.
“As presidential candidates, you don’t discuss the issues. We only have to abide by the Constitution, and that is safeguarding the reserves and appointment of special top echelon leaders in the civil service. But that does not preclude me from taking an interest,” said potential presidential candidate Dr Tan Cheng Bock.
Source: Channel NewsAsia
Turn historic gem into green haven for all
Letter by Patrick Low, The Straits Times, 11 Jul 2011.
I am the semi-clad cyclist who appeared on the front page of The Straits Times last Thursday (‘Removal work right on track’).
I had gone to that section of the railway to examine the feasibility of creating a dedicated cycling track from Woodlands to Tanjong Pagar. But as I walked along the track, I was filled with other ideas.
Before the bulldozers and excavators remove everything, let us think about the possibility of preserving sections of the railway. Our younger generations can then walk the track as part of their education in understanding the historical linkage between Malaysia and Singapore.
Source: The Straits Times
Informal group to discuss railway land use
By Amelia Tan, The Straits Times, 10 Jul 2011.
An informal workgroup that includes people with varied perspectives has been formed to chart the future of the former KTM railway land. It includes representatives from nature and heritage groups, architects and university dons.
Already, its first meeting is scheduled in one to two weeks’ time, said Minister of State for National Development and Manpower Tan Chuan-Jin, who is leading the railway development project.
Meetings will be held once every one or two months, he told reporters at Bukit Timah Railway Station yesterday.
Brigadier-General (NS) Tan was leading a group of about 30 people from interest groups, such as nature and heritage groups, as well as individuals on a 23km trek along the railway tracks from Silat Estate in Tanjong Pagar to Kranji.
