KUALA LUMPUR, March 12 — Road redesign works underway in Brickfields are part of efforts by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to improve pedestrian safety, public transport access and traffic management in the busy neighbourhood.
Local community leaders say the changes currently seen on the ground form only the first phase of a wider upgrading plan, with additional improvements expected in a second stage.
Brickfields Rukun Tetangga chairman SKK Naidu said DBKL had briefed residents that the project would be carried out in phases.
“When we met with DBKL officers recently, they informed us that what has been completed is only the first phase of the upgrading works.
“They said there will be a second phase, to focus on upgrading bus stops, pedestrian walkways and traffic-light crossings.
“So the whole thing will be improved and stabilised,” he said.
Why the project is being done in phases
In earlier news reports, Brickfield’s residents expressed frustration with alleged altered upgrading plans, to which Naidu said the DBKL has explained their reason behind earlier works carried out.
“From our meeting with DBKL, they have explained that upgrading works are split into phases due to budget constraints.
“They have also presented to us what it would look like after all upgrading works have been completed… they asked us to be patient and allow the whole project to be completed first. After that they will review if any changes are needed.
“They gave us assurance that the works will be completed following our concerns for safety in major roads in the area,” Naidu said.
What are the changes
Among the changes introduced so far is on Jalan Rozario-Jalan Sultan Abdul Samad junction whereby the pedestrian walkway was raised to improve crossings and reduction of a three-lane-road to two lanes.
“We still have a concern of traffic flowing into a bottleneck. They have acknowledged our concerns but they are asking us to try out the current arrangement first.
“As for the pedestrian crossing, it is only activated during school hours as DBKL mentioned that the redesign is aimed at prioritising the safety of school children over the convenience of drivers.
“DBKL also told us that some proposals regarding traffic management around school areas where the speed limit is expected to be reduced to 30km/h, have been submitted to the Transport Ministry,” Naidu said.
Bus stop upgrades already underway
As part of phase two upgrading works, Naidu said some work has started: for example, the upgrading of a bus stop used by both students and office workers.
“We had told DBKL earlier that the existing bus stop was not suitable because it was functioning more like a taxi stop.
“A lot of people use it — not just school children but also people working nearby, including those from Menara Shell and surrounding offices who walk through the area.
“They agreed with our feedback and have started upgrading it,” he added.
Clearing walkways
Residents had also highlighted the need to ensure pedestrian walkways remain clear, particularly from roadside stalls that have grown in number during allowances given after the Covid-19 pandemic.
“If the stalls remain, pedestrians may still be forced to walk on the road which may undermine the purpose of the upgrading works.
“DBKL told us that they are working on addressing this and asked for time because some of the traders have been operating there for a long time.
“However they said these stalls will gradually be moved,” Naidu said.
Why pedestrian safety matters in Brickfields
Naidu said improvements to walkability are especially important because Brickfields has a large number of vulnerable road users.
He noted that the neighbourhood is home to around 4,000 students from about 10 schools, several associations serving the visually impaired, as well as many elderly residents who rely on walking.
“Our request is simple, firstly the safety of the school children, the safety of the blind community, and then the safety of our senior citizens.
“All we want is — if the infrastructure is designed so that the blind people can walk safely without obstacles, then it will be safe and accessible for everyone as well,“ he said.
There are several organisations serving the visually impaired and other persons with disabilities. Brickfields is historically known as a hub for the blind community because training institutions and support organisations were established there decades ago.
For this reason, many people with disabilities continue to live and work in the area.
Among others, there are four major organisations specifically serving the blind in Brickfields — Malaysian Association for the Blind, Society of the Blind in Malaysia, National Council for the Blind, Malaysia and Agape Services for the Blind — while the YMCA Self-Reliance Centre for the Deaf, is also located in the area.
Malay Mail – Malaysia
