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
Overview Map of Railway
Over the past few days, we posted 8 maps of walking routes for:
- Sungei Kadut Avenue to Woodlands Road
- Sungei Kadut Avenue to Choa Chu Kang Road
- Choa Chu Kang Road to Rail Mall
- Rail Mall to Bukit Timah Train Station
- Bukit Timah Train Station to Holland Road
- Holland Road to Buona Vista
- Buona Vista to Queensway Road
- Jalan Hang Jebat to Kampong Bahru
We will not be organising walks but hope that you can use the maps to explore The Green Corridor on your own or with your family and friends. Enjoy!
Here’s an overview map of the entire railway from Tanjong Pagar to Woodlands, thanks again to the excellent efforts of CY Leong.
Download high-res map of [download#6#size#nohits]
(Maps attributed to OneMap by SLA, http://www.onemap.sg/index.html)
Walking route from Choa Chu Kang Road to Rail Mall
Here’s a map of A Rail Ran Through It – Walking route from Choa Chu Kang Road to Rail Mall, which includes good photo-taking spots. Thanks to the great effort from CY Leong!
Download high-res map of [download#10#size#nohits]
(Maps attributed to OneMap by SLA, http://www.onemap.sg/index.html)
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.
Source: The Straits Times via Wildsingapore
Walking route from Sungei Kadut Avenue to Woodlands Road
Here’s a map of the The Northern Outreaches – Walking route from Sungei Kadut Avenue to Woodlands Road, which includes good photo-taking spots. Thanks to the great effort from CY Leong!
Download high-res map of [download#9#size#nohits]
(Maps attributed to OneMap by SLA, http://www.onemap.sg/index.html)
A Green Opportunity
By National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan, 9 Jul 2011 (this was posted on his blog).
I love greenery. In Sembawang, we did a lot to green up the place. In the new hospital in Yishun, we set out to build a “hospital in a garden†and we succeeded.
Seven weeks into MND, I have been flooded with emails and FB comments, 99% of them on housing, quite understandably.
But there were a few non-housing comments.
I got one from a medical school student, interested in the “preservation and continued development of Singapore’s urban cultureâ€. She referred me to the Green Corridor Project being proposed by the Nature Society, suggesting the possibilities that we could create after Malayan Railway moved its station from Tj Pagar to Woodlands. She referred me to the New York’s High Line project which was quite inspirational.
I too see a green opportunity in this development. Read more
Old KTM tracks to become “green spine”
By Hoe Yeen Nie, Channel NewsAsia, 9 Jul 2011.
The National Development Ministry is studying ways to retain the old KTM railway tracks as a green spine for nature and leisure.
The railway line running through Singapore was closed after the KTM train station at Tanjong Pagar moved to Woodlands on July 1.
Writing in his blog on Saturday, National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan said he sees a “green opportunity” for urban development that will not compromise the development potential of the lands surrounding the track.
He hopes Singaporeans will come forward with their ideas to “co-develop a workable and practical scheme”.
Source: Channel NewsAsia
Walking the railway together [9 Jul]
Join us for a walk with Minister of State for National Development, Tan Chuan-Jin, tomorrow 6am, starting at the carpark next to Silat Walk Blk 25/26. Or you can join in later along the railway, check out the maps of the walking routes on how to get around. See you tomorrow!
Read latest details of the walk at https://www.facebook.com/notes/tan-chuan-jin/walking-the-railway-together/213262195383230. Here’s the last update (at 8 Jul, 11:30am):
I am planning to walk the length of the railway from Tanjong Pagar Railway Station to Woodlands. Would like to see it all before the rail and sleepers are taken away. Will be walking with our friends who feel passionately about this piece of land and the life around it. Join us if you are free?
6.00am Silat Estate: Starts trek at Silat Walk Car Park next to Blk 25/26. (double confirmed!)
6.30am Should commence after hanging around and sorting ourselves out.
9.00am (6km from Start Pt): Reach Buona Vista MRT
10.30am (10.8km from Start Pt): Reach Bt Timah Railway Station
12.30am (13.6km from Start Pt): Reach Rail Mall
1.30pm Proceed with rest of the trek along the corridor
7.00pm End at Kranji Road (23km from start point). Easier access from here to exit.
btw, please be adequately hydrated before you start and bring along ample water for drinking; snacks or whatever you fancy for energy along the way. Wear a STURDY pair of shoes (poor soles have been seen left behind along the way
, put on sun block, caps etc. If not feeling well, please feel free to stop at various exit points along the way.
