THE Penang Island City Council (MBPP) has lowered the speed limit on some of the roads within the George Town heritage zone to enhance pedestrian safety and to prevent accidents.
MBPP councillor Edward Tan announced that the speed limit on internal roads within Jalan Dr Lim Chwee Leong, Gat Jalan Prangin, Pengkalan Weld, Pesara King Edward, Lebuh Light, Lebuh Farquhar, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, and Jalan Penang has been adjusted to 40km per hour.
These internal roads include Lebuh Kimberly, Lebuh Chulia, Lebuh Armenian, Gat Lebuh Armenian, Lebuh Gereja, Gat Lebuh Gereja, Lebuh Melayu, Gat Lebuh Melayu, Jalan Muntri and others.
In addition to that, Tan said the speed limit on roads such as Jalan Tun Syed Sheh Barakbah, Jalan Padang Kota Lama, Lebuh Duke, Jalan Green Hall, Gat Lebuh Leith, Lebuhraya Merdeka, Jalan Merdeka, Lintang Merdeka, Pintasan Pengkalan 1, Pintasan Pengkalan 2, Pintasan Pengkalan 3, and Pintasan Pengkalan 4 has also been lowered to 40km per hour.
“Most of the roads in the heritage zone are narrow. Motorists, and in particular motorcyclists, often exceed speed limits.
“This poses a danger to the public, especially pedestrians, cyclists, and trishaw riders along with their passengers.
“Implementing a lower speed limit not only enhances livability in the heritage area but also reduces pollution emitted by vehicles,” Tan said during a press conference today at Jalan Kimberly.
Tan added that to deter motorists from parking their vehicles at junctions, the council has painted kerbstones on the road in red and white to increase visibilty and alertness.
“The speed limit for main roads such as Jalan Dr Lim Chwee Leong, Gat Jalan Prangin, Pengkalan Weld, Pesara King Edward, Lebuh Light, Lebuh Farquhar, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, and Jalan Penang will be retained at 50km per hour.
Meanwhile, MBBP traffic engineer Noor Munirah Raja Ahmad said previously, the speed limit on these roads was set at 50 km per hour.
Also present at the press conference was Inspector Haris Safuan Mohd.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Siew Chia En