Paradise once lost, can’t be regained
By Paul Gilfeather, Today, 7 Sep 2011.
While major cities around the world search for the money and means to establish quality green spaces for its population, Singapore appears to have hit the jackpot with the closure of the Malaysian railway line.
As the last train pulled out of Tanjong Pagar Station in July there was an outpouring of sadness as Singaporeans young and old turned out to mark the end of another chapter in the country’s history.
Now, as the planners and politicians fix their sights on the future of the now-defunct track, the environmental lobby has stolen a march by unveiling their “green corridor” concept. The genius and beauty of the proposal is in its simplicity. The plan is to do absolutely nothing to the stretch of natural beauty and I can’t help but feel excited at the prospect.
Source: Today
Part of Jurong Line in master plan
By Esther Ng, Today, 3 Sep 2011.
It might not be as well known as the main line but a 2.5km stretch of the old Jurong Line – which passes through the steel bridge over Ulu Pandan Canal – will be included in the conceptual master planning of the rail corridor, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) has told Today.
The URA explained that parts of the Jurong Line have been committed to, or are undergoing development work. For instance, the installation of new roads at the International Business Park and the Faber residential estate will improve traffic and “facilitate future developments”, said a URA spokesperson.
“The former Jurong Line is not part of the main line from Tanjong Pagar to Woodlands and has been abandoned for many years. In some places, the rail line has been turfed over or is in a severe state of disrepair,” the spokesperson added.
Source: Today
Old Bukit Timah Railway Station to be opened to public
By Esther Ng, Today, 3 Sep 2011.
Allaying concerns that the removal of the KTM railway tracks would damage the flora and fauna, Law Minister K Shanmugam yesterday invited nature groups and the media to view a stretch of the tracks and the old Bukit Timah Railway Station, which will be opened to the public on Sept 16.
Mr Shanmugam said: “I’ve been assured, in this area, that none of the trees have been taken down. (There is) very little damage to the vegetation … I think people can see for themselves.”
The 1.4km stretch to be re-opened starts southwards from the steel bridge along Bukit Timah Road and runs past the old station, which will be conserved.
Source: Today
Part of KTM railway land to be reopened
By Grace Chua, The Straits Times, 3 Sep 2011.
Those who flocked to Bukit Timah railway station in the wake of the closure of the Tanjong Pagar station can do so again from Sept 16.
A 1.4km stretch in Bukit Timah of the former Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) railway land is the first section to have rail-removal works completed and will be reopened to the public.
But the tracks and equipment at the Bukit Timah railway station and the black steel bridge across Bukit Timah Road have been retained.
The 26km tract from Woodlands to Tanjong Pagar reverted to Singapore in July, and as agreed with Malaysia, most tracks and other structures are being removed and returned by Dec 31. The stretch is also being turfed over.
Source: The Straits Times via Wildsingapore
Bukit Timah Railway Station open to public from Sept 16
By Joanne Chan, Channel NewsAsia, 2 Sep 2011.
The old Bukit Timah Railway Station and surrounding railway land will be open to the public in two weeks.
Announcing this on Friday, the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) said the station and railway land extending 1.4km southwards from the steel bridge along Bukit Timah Road will be open from September 16.
The SLA said other portions of the railway land will also be progressively open after removal works are completed.
Source: Channel NewsAsia
Examples of Rails to Trails
August 25, 2011 by admin
Filed under Recreation, Stories, Transport
A reader shares these examples of former railways converted into multi-purpose trails for cycling and walking, and at the same time serving as a wildlife corridor.
Australia:
http://www.railtrails.org.au/
http://www.visitmelbourne.com/Activities-and-attractions/Outdoor-activities/Cycling/Cycling-trails.aspx
New Zealand:
http://www.otagocentralrailtrail.co.nz/nz_first.html
http://www.aktnz.co.nz/2011/05/15/thames-line-handed-to-cycleway/
Germany:
http://www.germany.travel/en/erholung/radfahren/deep_content_datenbank_1293.html
http://www.germany.travel/en/erholung/radfahren/deep_content_datenbank_1343.html
The Green Corridor walk along the old Jurong Line [18 Sep]
Time: Sunday, September 18, 8:30am – 11:30am.
Location: Teban Gardens to Sunset Way.
The Jurong Line, completed in 1965, served as an extension into the then newly constructed Jurong Industrial Estate. It failed to generate adequate traffic and was closed in the early 1990s. It has since been partially dismantled.
Join us for this walk and explore natural reforestation, spontaneous gardens and small scale farming, and walk in a dark underpass. Mr Wong Kum Seng from the Nature Society (Singapore) will lead this walk. Be prepared to get your shoes wet and muddy. This walk is not suitable for small kids.
Meeting time: 8.30am
Meeting point: Blk 41 Teban Gardens Road, behind bus stop (see map at http://gothere.sg/maps#q:Blk%2041%20Teban%20Gardens%20Road). Take bus 79 or 143 at Jurong East Interchange and alight at Blk 41 Teban Gardens Road.
Register through Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=257263937626894.
If you’re not a Facebook user, just indicate your interest in the comments section below, and turn up on that day.
Let’s work together to create a shared vision of The Green Corridor
We started this campaign on 5 Nov 2010 to support The Green Corridor proposal by the Nature Society (Singapore), and our aims were to:
- Gather support for The Green Corridor and unite supporters
- Show the government that there is public interest and support for The Green Corridor
- Archive stories, photos and videos on the railway and The Green Corridor
We supported the proposal because we feel that it would improve Singapore’s long-term resilience through creating more opportunities in preserving our shared memories and creating our shared vision.
On 1 Jul, URA announced that it “will comprehensively review and chart the development plans for the former railway lands and their surrounding areas. As part of its review, the URA will study the possibility of marrying development and greenery, such as applying innovative strategies to maintain a continuous green link along the rail corridor without affecting the development potential of the lands.” Read more
PM Lee Supports The Green Corridor
During last Sunday’s National Day Rally, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong cited The Green Corridor project as one example where Singaporeans are going beyond giving views and coming forward to work with one other and with the government on projects which matter to them and which are good for Singapore.
PM Lee mentioned that MND, URA and himself are very keen on this project. Here’s the excerpts from his speech:
13. Very encouraged that Singaporeans are going beyond giving views
a. Coming forward to work with each other and with the government on projects which they care about
14. e.g. creating a green spine along KTM railway line
a. URA carrying out extensive public consultation
b. Looking for creative ways of preserving green spaces without affecting development potential of the land
c. Many bright ideas, including from students, architects, design professionals
i. To use sections as creative arts and performing spaces
ii. To develop a leisure corridor, linked to our park connector network
d. One proposal from Ms Regina Koo, a recent Architecture graduate from NUS
i. To develop stretch in Yew Tee beside Pang Sua Canal
ii. Build a “Velo-Parkâ€, with bikeways, bike rental stalls, bike club and bike café
e. Look forward to many more good ideas
f. And hope when plans are settled, the interest groups will actively participate in implementing the projects
Watch the speech where PM Lee mentions The Green Corridor (the mention is from the middle of the video onwards).
Tracks cleared with maximum care for greenery, says SLA
Letter from SLA, The Straits Times, 11 Aug 2011.
Singapore must remove the railway tracks and ancillary structures along the former KTM railway line, and return them to Malaysia by the year end (‘Be careful when dismantling rail tracks’ by Ms Catherine Lim; last Thursday).
The Singapore Land Authority (SLA) has taken efforts to minimise the impact of these works on the vegetation. The SLA has also worked with the National Parks Board to identify the areas along the rail corridor that are rich in biodiversity and ensure that these are not inadvertently cleared as the tracks are removed.
Source: The Straits Times
