SINGAPORE TO CREATE 10 MORE 'FRIENDLY STREETS' BY 2026

SINGAPORE, Jan 15 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- Singapore has announced plans to upgrade 10 streets across the island by 2026 to enhance walking and cycling commutes, particularly for seniors and young children, reported Xinhua.

Work on these "Friendly Streets" will commence progressively in the first half of 2025, with completion targeted for 2026, Senior Minister of State for Transport, Amy Khor, said on Tuesday at the launch event held in Holland Village, where one of the programmes is located.

By 2030, every town in Singapore will feature at least one Friendly Street, she added.

The streets are located in residential areas with high pedestrian traffic and are close to essential amenities such as markets, hawker centres, community clubs, schools and MRT stations. These areas often have a higher concentration of seniors or young families, according to a statement from the Land Transport Authority (LTA).

Proposed pedestrian-friendly enhancements include lower speed limits, barrier-free pedestrian crossings with priority for walkers, road markings and treatments to calm traffic and promote courteous driving, as well as wider and more accessible footpaths where feasible.

The specific locations and features of these streets were determined in collaboration with local communities after consultations with stakeholders and residents.

Launched as a pilot in 2023, the Friendly Streets initiative began with five streets. Four have already been completed, and another is slated for completion by March this year. The LTA reported positive feedback from residents, with nine out of 10 respondents indicating that their walking and cycling experiences have improved.

-- BERNAMA-XINHUA