LOCALS are calling for Jalan 9/32 of Taman Jinjang Baru in Kepong, Kuala Lumpur, to be converted into a one-way street to improve traffic condition in the commercial area.
Social activist Yee Poh Ping said traffic on the 300m-long street had worsen over the last two years as more businesses opened up in the area.
“These shops, along with a new convenience store, has caused an increase in the number of vehicles using the road.
“Lorries tend to double-park to load or unload their goods, occupying one of the two lanes on the road.
“When vehicles come up against those from the opposite direction, there is a traffic standstill as neither driver wants to give way.
“If the road is converted into one way, traffic can be eased as cars will have space to pass through even if lorries stop for a long time to load or unload their goods,” he said in a press conference.
Yee said there were about 30 shops operating along the road.
A check by StarMetro found parking bays marked out on both sides of the road, considerably narrowing the space available for vehicles to pass through.
Lam Kong Ming, who runs a hardware shop there, said the current traffic flow had badly affected his business.
He said his customers could not stop briefly to pick up needed items and they could not find parking space either.
“Some people in the area work until late at night and their vehicles occupy the parking bays the whole day,” he said.
He added that Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) had carried out enforcement against double-parking and warned lorry drivers.
Yee said he had submitted a memorandum, signed by 20 business owners, to DBKL on May 2, asking for Jalan 9/32 to be made a one-way street.
“We hope DBKL will consider coming for a site visit,” he said.
DBKL has not responded to queries on the matter as at press time.
