Article Credit to - [the Star]

An idea to turn part of Jalan Kasawari 5 in Taman Eng Ann, Klang into a time regulated one way from 6am to 11.30am to smoothen traffic movement will be discussed at the Klang Municipal Council’s (MPK) Infrastructure Sub-Committee on 9 March.

Council’s Engineering Department’s Traffic and Public Transport section engineer Mohd Azhar Kasban said the proposal to “time-control” part of Jalan Kasawari 5, is after much complaints from shopkeepers that the daily morning market at Lorong Kasawari 4 had contributed to the traffic congestion.

The morning market has 191 stalls occupying parking bays between two rows of shops along Lorong Kasawari 4.

“Besides the increase in traffic volume from 6am to 11am, we have market-goers who double-park or haphazardly park at road bends.

“One suggestion is to regulate traffic flow during specific hours and instal concrete barriers to discourage parking at road bends, ” said Azhar.

Only 140m of the 250m-long Jalan Kasawari 5 will be converted to a one-way system, where motorists will be required to turn right onto Jalan Kasawari 4 to exit Jalan Kasawari 5.

Klang councillor Low Kwee Sia, whose duty zone includes Taman Eng Ann, said if approved, the plan would be implemented on a trial basis for three months.

“We expect to test out the proposal in the second week of April.

“It will be carried out daily, including weekends, as the morning market operates throughout the week, ” he said.

Low said the North Klang police traffic division and MPK engineers visited the site twice to discuss ideas on traffic control and safety.

“MPK’s Licensing Department will coordinate with the shopkeepers to arrange for loading and unloading of goods to be done later in the afternoon when Jalan Kasawari 5 sees less traffic.

“We are also upgrading the back lane of the first row of single-storey shoplots as an alternative route for motorists to drive out of Jalan Kasawari 5, ” he said.

He added that back lanes must not be used as makeshift kitchens and parking there was not allowed.

Newspaper and magazine seller M. Rajan, 48, said it was high time MPK introduced measures to ease traffic congestion and resolve parking problems in the area.

Klang Consumer Association president Devadass Anjan said a proposal was made in 2005 to have the morning market relocated to a more conducive area but the idea did not work out.

“There needs to be a proper place like a complex to house the morning market traders and, in the late evenings, the pasar malam traders.

“We need a coordinated and conducive environment to sell food, ” he said.