Our reply on the water pipeline construction at the Rail Corridor
PUB will be laying a new major water pipeline from the Murnane Service Reservoir located in central Singapore to the city area underneath the Rail Corridor from 2016-2019.
We feel that although the water pipeline construction work on the southern stretch of the Rail Corridor will cause short-term disruption, it would actually help to ensure the long-term future of the corridor, since no major developments would then be built on top of the pipeline. This means a continuous green corridor will be maintained along that stretch in the future.
PUB has consulted the Rail Corridor Partnership Group and assured that an Environmental Impact Assessment study will be conducted before the works to minimise the impacts, and that alternative public access will be provided along the corridor to minimise disruption.
Nevertheless, there will be some inconveniences for users along the southern stretch of the corridor over the next 5 years, but we hope this short-term disruption would eventually lead to the long-term conservation of the corridor over the next 50-100 years and beyond for future generations to enjoy.
In the meantime, we will continue to engage with URA and SLA on the long-term master plan of the corridor and also to look into having proper signage and access points along the corridor.
PUB to Build Water Pipeline From Central Singapore to City Area [Media Release]
30 June 2014 – PUB, the national water agency, announced today plans to lay a new trunk water pipeline from the Murnane Service Reservoir, located in central Singapore, to meet future water demand in the city area.
2. In preparing its plans for the new Murnane pipeline, PUB has conducted detailed feasibility studies on various options to lay this new underground water pipeline. About half of the 22 km pipeline will be laid underneath the lower half of the Rail Corridor. After the pipeline has been laid, the surface of this stretch will be maintained as a contiguous green space for public recreational use. Read more
11 structures near former Bt Timah railway station being demolished
By Lip Kwok Wai, Channel NewsAsia, 25 Dec 2012.
Since last month, demolition works have been carried out on 11 small buildings and structures near the former Bukit Timah Railway Station.
The works are expected to be completed next month.
The structures include gate huts along the Rail Corridor at Bukit Gombak, Stagmont Ring, Sungei Kadut, Blackmore Drive and Tanglin Halt.
Many of the huts were work stations of railway workers previously.
The Singapore Land Authority (SLA) says the structures have been assessed to be structurally unsound, and are being demolished for safety reasons.
Source: Channel NewsAsia
Removal of structures along Rail Corridor [Announcements]
By SLA, 26 Nov 2012.
The Singapore Land Authority will be demolishing unsound buildings and structures along the rail corridor starting 26 November 2012. This is expected to be completed by 31 January 2013. For safety reasons, the public is advised to keep clear of the area.
Please refer to the list of FAQs for more details.
FAQs on the removal of buildings and structures along rail corridor
1. When will demolition work begin? What is the timeline?
The demolition works will begin on 26 November 2012. The works are expected to be completed by 31 January 2013.
2. How many buildings or structures will be demolished in total?
In total, 11 buildings and structures will be demolished. Some of these buildings/structures include two buildings and a gate hut at Gombak Gate, a temporary structure at Blackmore Drive and a gate hut at Sungei Kadut Gate. Read more
Tanjong Pagar Railway Station marks anniversary of its closure
By Melissa Chong, Channel NewsAsia, 1 Jul 2012.
It has been one year since the closure of the Tanjong Pagar Railway Station.
On Sunday, visitors got a chance to explore the heritage site.
For the early risers, there were guided tours organised by the Nature Society of Singapore.
Others chose to hike the entire 10 kilometres from Bukit Timah to the Tanjong Pagar Railway Station.
But the highlight was the station itself, where over 100 visitors turned up to learn about its architecture and history.
Source: Channel NewsAsia
Revisiting the Rail Corridor, a year later…
By Lisa Oon, my paper, 2 Jul 2012.
For Mr J. Tang, 57, a technical officer, going to Tanjong Pagar Railway Station yesterday brought back memories.
Only five when he moved to Singapore from Thailand with his parents, he remembers fondly the days when he stepped into the station.
He recalls eating fried rice and eggs done sunny side up on the train. “I still remember the taste,” he said.
Source: my paper
Clementi gardeners get to stay
By Grace Chua, The Straits Times, 16 May 2012.
A compromise has been reached between the Government and the people farming illegally in Clementi.
All 18 who had been tending to crops near Sungei Ulu Pandan will get to stay, but on a smaller plot of land. They will also pay $60 a year to continue farming there.
Member of Parliament Sim Ann said yesterday that when the farmers’ activity came to light in March this year, the Government’s task was to give them ‘a legitimate outlet for their passion for planting’. ‘The legal position is clear – whatever the background reason, encroachment on state land is illegal,’ said Ms Sim, who had been leading the talks between the gardeners and the various government agencies involved.
Source: The Straits Times
President Tan urges govt not to rush plans for Rail Corridor
By Sharon See, Channel NewsAsia, 2 May 2012.
President Tony Tan Keng Yam has urged the government to not rush into coming up with a plan for the Rail Corridor.
He said it is more important to take time to wait for good ideas to come forth.
“Don’t rush into doing things (and) say ‘We must have a plan and we must finish it by 2-3 years’ time’… (Let’s) take our time to study the possibilities,” said Dr Tan.
He was speaking after visiting the “Journey of Possibilities” exhibition at the URA Centre on Wednesday.
The exhibition features about 80 entries comprising 18 winning ideas, 19 honourable mentions, as well as other innovative entries received for Urban Redevelopment Authority’s Ideas Competition. The exhibition also showcases some of the interesting feedback and suggestions received on URA’s Rail Corridor website since its launch in July last year.
Source: Channel NewsAsia
URA establishes Rail Corridor Partnership to explore and promote community activities along Rail Corridor
Press Release by URA.
2 May 2012 – The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) announced today the formation of a Rail Corridor Partnership to look into the programming and promotion of community activities along the Rail Corridor. The Partnership is an expansion of the Rail Corridor Consultation Group, which was formed last July to provide input to the government on charting the future development plans for the Rail Corridor.
With the re-opening of the Rail Corridor on 9 January 2012, the Partnership will look for opportunities to promote community use of the space that spans the entire width of the island from north to south. Representatives from agencies such as the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, Singapore Sports Council, and People’s Association will join the Partnership to further foster public-people sector collaboration along the Rail Corridor. Read more
Tanjong Pagar and Bukit Timah Railway Stations open for short-term uses
4 April 2012 – The former Bukit Timah Railway Station (BTRS) and Tanjong Pagar Railway Station (TPRS) have received much public interest since last year. They were on the land formerly occupied by the Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) which has reverted to the State. The Singapore Land Authority (SLA) has completed removal works along the former railway land, which has been levelled and turfed end of 2011.
2. Over the past few months, SLA has received several requests from the public to use the former BTRS and TPRS for community events, sports activities and exhibitions. SLA is pleased to announce that the former BTRS and TPRS are now open to individuals and organisations for ad-hoc activities and events, subject to SLA’s terms and conditions.
3. It is hoped that such activities and events will inject vibrancy and life to the two buildings and the surrounding area. Both the TPRS and the BTRS are a part of Singapore’s heritage, with the former being gazetted as a national monument, while BTRS has been conserved. Read more
