23 March 2009
Mr Mah Bow Tan
Minister for National Development
HDB Hub
480 Lorong 6
Toa Payoh
Singapore 310480
Dear Mr Mah
Re: Request to Restrict Access of Sky Bridges of tttttttttt to Residents
We are future residents of yyyyyyyyy. We are delighted and impressed with the efficiency and professionalism that HDB has demonstrated in the landmark development.
There are about 1800 apartments that would house about 7200 residents (for an average family of four) in a small area. This is the first time HDB has experimented with such high-density development, the (severe) constraints of which we would never fully appreciate until the residents have lived together for many years. Thus we bought into the development with peace of mind that HDB would manage these constraints judiciously when it announced in the press that the sky bridges would be opened only to residents (see ST article dated 23 Nov 08 below).
Recently, some residents have called up HDB only to find out that HDB is planning to open the skybridges on the rooftop (Level 50) to the public. As much as we would like to share the scenic view from these vantage points with the public, we question the wisdom of doing so.
To allow an unlimited number more people to congregate on the rooftop of a tall building is an unthinkable and frightening scenario from a safety and security perspective. Especially when strategic resources such as water tanks are located at these places and when Singapore is prone to lightning strike. This is not to mention the logistical nightmare of supporting tens of thousands of people and vehicles descending into a small strip of land on festive occasions. In an emergency, no evacuation plan would be effective in such a situation. A disastrous loss of lives and damage to property could well be the consequence.
In addition, residents were reminded that they would have to pay service and conservancy charges that are much higher than normal rates to upkeep the sky bridges. Allowing public access to the sky bridges immediately removes this justification.
As future residents of this much talked about housing project, we call on HDB for some understanding that we are paying a premium price for our apartments due to the view and it would also be very unjustified, if not unfair to allow the public access to the roof garden. Although HDB may have its own "security measures" or certain timings of access, it would seem that the residents would not be able to enjoy their facilities (which they are paying for, of course) in peace.
On another note, ppppppppp is locating near office buildings and nightspots, thus it is unfair to expose our facilities to lunch-hour crowds or nightlife crowds. Furthermore, in events such as Formula 1, National Day, New Year's Eve and so on, it would be very unjust if residents have to face overcrowding on their own property, not forgetting littering and noise pollution.
As payers for additional facilities, we would take it to ourselves to upkeep the area and maintain cleanliness. Can we expect the same from the public? What is the distinction from P@D than a normal HDB if the public were allowed to access it?
In addition we also wish to highlight the other side of the equation - the public. If the public were able to access the roof garden during certain hours, what would stop them from writing in and complaining why they are allowed to access it normally but not during peak periods as mentioned above? This situation is of course if HDB were to put a stop to the public access during peak periods so as not to disturb the residents. Once a privilege is given, it is very difficult to take it away or to put restrictions to it.
We therefore appeal to HDB to honour its initial commitment to restrict access to the sky bridges to residents. We believe that this is the responsible thing to do where safety and security of the residents and the public is concerned. This would also demonstrate that HDB is a trusted partner to work with. Let us do all we can not to compromise the success of pppppppppppp, so that it can be a showcase for premium, high-density development to Singapore and possibly to the whole world for years to come.
We attach the article dated Nov 23 2008 from The Straits time which indicated that only residents would have access for your referral (http://www.propertyguru.com.sg/news/2008/11/1770/top-of-the-world).
We look forward to your favourable reply soon. Thank you.
CC
Ms Indranee Rajah
Member of Parliament, Tanjong Pagar GRC
Assoc Prof Koo Tsai Kee
Member of Parliament, Tanjong Pagar GRC
Minister Mentor Mr Lee Kwan Yew
Member of Parliament, Tanjong Pagar GRC
Mr Baey Yam Keng
Member of Parliament, Tanjong Pagar GRC
Radm Lui Tuck Yew
Member of Parliament, Tanjong Pagar GRC
Mr Tan Chin Siong.
Member of Parliament, Tanjong Pagar GRC
Regards,
Future Residents of uuuuuuuuuuuu
1. Name
Block Number
Unit
2. Name
Block Number
Unit
