By Ng Lian Cheong | Posted:
01 June 2011 2144 hrs
SINGAPORE : The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has
served 31 notices to coffeeshop operators in Geylang for failing to
remove chairs and tables obstructing five-foot ways despite
repeated warnings.
Using drain covers to widen five-foot ways so that chairs and
tables can be placed on them is a common sight in Geylang. By doing
so, coffeeshops can have an extra 20 tables, or 100 customers,
during lunch and dinner.
However, LTA wants them removed as they are obstructing pedestrian
movements.
Two coffeeshop associations - Kheng Keow Coffee Merchants
Restaurant & Bar-Owners Association and Foochow Coffee
Restaurant & Bar Merchants Association - which represent
operators here, told Channel NewsAsia that LTA was being too
strict.
They said LTA had either issued warnings or fines of S$400 each to
some 200 of their members in Geylang.
Foo Jong Peng, chairman of Kheng Keow Coffee Merchants Restaurant
& Bar-Owners Association, said: "Without the 100 extra seats
for customers, business here would be limited. And with the rent
and utility costs being so high, the loss of business would mean
about 20 workers at each coffeeshop could be out of a job."
LTA served an average of 500 notices in 2009 and 2010.
The authority said it would like to remind all shop owners that
under the Street Works Act, they have to keep all five-foot ways
and public walkways clear at all times so as not to impede the
movement of pedestrians.
For enquiries or feedback on the obstruction of a public walkway,
the public can call LTA at 1800-CALL LTA (1800-2255582).
- CNA
