Kepong Baru Morning Market Traders Association wants the stretch of Jalan Bangau from Jalan Mergastua to Lorong Bangau 2 in Kepong Baru, Kuala Lumpur, to be turned into a one-way street permanently for smoother traffic flow.
Currently, the stretch is one-way between 6am and noon on weekends only when the morning market is in operation there and during festive periods to help manage traffic in the area.
The market, which has some 300 traders, attracts a large number of visitors each morning.
Community activist Yee Poh Ping, who is also the association’s advisor, urged Kuala Lumpur City Hall to implement the one-way system permanently as it would make it safer for both residents and traders.
“We hope the traffic enforcement department can pay a visit and study the traffic flow here, so that they can come up with a better traffic management plan.”
He said the poor traffic flow in the area was also due to vehicles parked haphazardly by the roadside.
To improve traffic flow, he suggested adding larger signboards and road markings near the Jalan Bangau-Lorong Bangau 2 junction to inform motorists of the changes to the traffic flow.
“We request DBKL’s assistance in updating the traffic markings, adding clearer road signs and installing larger and more visible signboards,” he said.
Yee said Jalan Bangau was a busy area with a popular morning market drawing many visitors from surrounding residential areas each day.
A Jalan Bangau resident, who only wanted to be known as Lee, 60, shared her concerns about motorists parking illegally and blocking the gates of houses there.
“It is difficult because when cars block the way, drivers need extra time to manoeuvre around them,” she said.
She noted that there was smoother traffic flow wherever a one-way street system was in place.
