URA unable to approve new eateries until illegal parking issue is alleviated

URA bans various locations
Image Credit: blue_quartz on Flickr

Based on traffic and parking conditions evaluated by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and Land Transport Authority (LTA), a new ban has been placed on various sought-after dining locations with effect from 30 May 2016. This comes after repeated complaints and concerns raised by residents in nearby estates, as patrons are often found parking their cars illegally and in front of housing gates, many a time even blocking their driveways.

Together with 18 existing locations such as the Joo Chiat Road Area and Serangoon Garden Way, the areas that new eateries are not permitted to operate are:

  1. Thomson Village – Upper Thomson Road, Soo Chow Walk, Jalan Todak, Sin Ming Road & Shunfu Road
  2. Bedok area – Bedok Road & Jalan Pari Burong
  3. Little India Historic District – Serangoon Road, Jalan Besar & Kitchener Road

The ban dictates that while additional eateries in shophouses will not be permitted, existing ones can continue operating as long as there are no further complaints. Moreover, new food businesses looking to operate in these areas can only do so if an existing one does not renew their lease, and only if the said unit is one that has been designated for F&B purposes.

While residents are hopeful for a less chaotic traffic situation henceforth and food business owners welcome the ban as a way to restraint additional competition from entering the market, patrons are the most disadvantageous in this situation, as the ban will likely discourage them from frequenting these areas. That said, the ban might not necessarily be a permanent one as there have been cases of such prohibitions being lifted in the past when there was a significant improvement.

Source: URA

The Redbrick Team
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