SINGAPORE - The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) has banned more new restaurants from setting up shop in seven locations to prevent parking problems from worsening. The new locations add to the URA's list of areas where no additional eateries are allowed. There are now 18 areas on the list which was first started in 2002.
We look at four things about the move to rein in problems faced by residents in areas with many popular food joints:
1. Which are the seven new areas which now come under the URA restriction?
- Changi Road: Jalan Eunos/Still Road to Jalan Kembangan/Frankel Avenue
- Upper Paya Lebar Road: Lorong Ah Soo to Paya Lebar Crescent
- Bukit Timah Road/Dunearn Road: Binjai Park (Jalan Jambu Mawar To Jalan Jambu Ayer); Bukit Timah Road (Wilby Road to Elm Avenue); Bukit Timah Road (Anamalai Avenue to Fourth Avenue)
- Sembawang Road: Mandai Road to Transit Road
- Kampong Glam: Bounded by Victoria Street, Jalan Sultan, Beach Road and Ophir Road
- Kampong Bahru Road/Spottiswoode Park Road: Blair Road to Everton Road; Everton Road to Neil Road
- Jalan Riang
2. Which are the areas which are already on the list?
- Balestier Road: Thomson Road to Moulmein Road
- East Coast Road: Joo Chiat Road to Still Road; Still Road to Telok Kurau Road; Lothian Terrace to Siglap Road
- Joo Chiat Road Area: Joo Chiat Road (Changi Road to East Coast Road); Joo Chiat Place (Joo Chiat Road to Still Road)
- MacPherson Road: Woodsville Interchange to Kallang Pudding Road
- Upper Serangoon Road: Tampines Road to Lim Ah Pin Road
- River Valley Road: Zion Road to Kellock Road
- Geylang Road: Lorong 1 Geylang to Paya Lebar Road
- Tanjong Katong Road: Dunman Road to Mountbatten Road
- Greenwood Avenue: Junction Of Greenwood Avenue And Hillcrest Road
- Sembawang Road: Jalan Mata Ayer to Yishun Avenue 5
- Serangoon Garden Way: Kensington Park Road To Maju Avenue; Chartwell Drive To Penshurst Place
3. What's the impact of the URA restriction on some of the areas on the list?
Joo Chiat
In Joo Chiat, traffic woes led the URA to stop issuing dine-in licences in 2008 to new eateries - unless the premises was originally marked for such use. Road dividers were installed to stop illegal parking.
Read the story here: URA firm on dine-in ban in Joo Chiat
Serangoon Gardens
The middle-class housing estate is packed with restaurants, coffee shops and cafes, as well as the popular Chomp Chomp and Serangoon Garden hawker centres. Acting on residents' complaints, the URA imposed a ban in February 2012: No more Serangoon Garden shophouses can be turned into food joints.
Read the story here: Restaurant ban to ease traffic at Serangoon Garden
Sembawang
Some 24-hour eateries were asked to close earlier following complaints from residents about noise, littering and parking woes.
Read the story here: Restaurant appeals against restrictions on opening hours
4. What about popular areas which are not on the URA list? Any measures in place?
The URA and other relevant authorities have also taken steps to address noise and traffic concerns in areas which are not on its list.
In Tiong Bahru where eateries and cafes have sprung up in recent years, the URA and Housing Board have turned down some new applications to turn shop premises into eateries. Residents have complained about noise, traffic and fewer shopping options.
Read the story here: Govt keeps lid on eateries in Tiong Bahru
In Yio Chu Kang Road, some restaurants were ordered to close after they failed to do enough to address complaints from residents despite being granted a grace period to fix the problem.
Read the story here: Yio Chu Kang eateries ordered to close after grace period ends
