Written Reply to Parliamentary Question on Requests for Construction of Sheltered Pedestrian Walkways in Private Estates

Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Acting Minister for Transport

a.     whether requests from private estates receive the same consideration as those from HDB estates under the Ministry’s policies for construction of sheltered pedestrian walkways;

b.     what quantifiable criteria are used to assess such requests and how is transparency ensured; and

c.     what is LTA’s standard timeline for assessment and response.

Reply by Acting Minister for Transport Jeffrey Siow: 

1.     The Land Transport Authority’s (LTA's) priority is to provide covered linkways around public transport infrastructure to encourage and support the use of public transport. This includes linkways that connect to the boundary of private estates. 

2.     Requests for covered linkways further from Mass Rapid Transit stations, Light Rail Transit stations, bus interchanges and bus stops to connect with major amenities are considered on a case-by-case basis. Factors considered include pedestrian traffic, technical feasibility, land ownership, maintenance responsibility and the possibility of connecting to existing covered linkways to maximise the usefulness of the connection. These same factors apply to requests for connections to both private estates and Housing and Development Board precincts. 

3.     In general, LTA would assess and respond to most requests within two to eight weeks, and more complex cases will require more time.