Brinchang shops close in protest of one-way street system

CAMERON HIGHLANDS: About 70 shops at Brinchang here are closed for the day in protest of the one-way street system for Jalan Tapah-Cameron Highlands in the town centre.

Regional Environmental Awareness Cameron Highlands president R. Ramakrishnan said the protest was held as many shop owners and town folk in Brinchang were unhappy with the system.

He said residents felt the system did not help to solve the traffic congestion issue and caused more problems and inconvenience.

Ramakrishnan said more vehicles were speeding along the road now.

"There's a primary school there and schoolchildren are in danger of being mowed down by speeding vehicles. There have been several accidents already," he said.

He added that the congestion along the road had worsened instead.

During a visit to the highlands in February, the Regent of Pahang, Tengku Mahkota Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah took note of the congestion issue in Brinchang and tasked the police, district council, land office and the Public Works Department to come up with a solution.

All parties involved came up with the current one-way street system and implemented it on a trial basis for a month starting on March 17. The trial period has since been extended until May 17.

Ramakrishnan said he hoped the system would be reverted to a two-way street again.

"There has never been an issue with the two-way street system. No one was complaining about it," he said.