Approximately 1,300 residents in Meru Raya, Ipoh, Perak have expressed concerns about the lack of signage and safeguards along the recently completed Jalan Meru Raya-Klebang. The road, which opened to the public in mid-August, has experienced a significant increase in traffic in the area.
According to residents, road users frequently engage in speeding, endangering other motorists including the residents themselves. Razakhi Rayman, the Residents Association Chairman of Taman Meru Perdana 2 Laluan 16-25, remarked that the road lacked signage to caution drivers to slow down near a residential area.
Razakhi highlighted the roundabout as the most perilous location due to the absence of signage and lane markings. Motorists fail to stop or reduce their speed despite driving near a residential area.
Residents say the Taman Meru Perdana roundabout that lacks signage and lane markings is hazardous as motorists fail to stop or slow down despite driving near a residential area.
Residents have expressed concern about the absence of road signs, which leads to speeding. The narrowness of the roundabout area poses an additional safety risk for residents, particularly children riding motorcycles or bicycles.
Motorists tend to speed on the new route between Klebang and Meru Jelapang as there is a lack of signage to inform road users of the speed limit.
Razakhi urged the authorities to install speed bumps along the road. He mentioned that prior to the road’s construction, only residents drove in the area. Since its public opening, there has been an approximately threefold increase in the number of vehicles.
The road construction project, with a cost estimated at RM7.2 million, was announced in 2021 by Ipoh mayor Datuk Rumaizi Baharin. The project aimed to reduce travel time between Meru Raya and Klebang. It involved building a 50m bridge over Sungai Pari, approximately 1.3km of roads, and installing streetlights. Construction started in April 2022 and was completed in early August.
Razakhi says residents are worried about the safety of children.Razakhi expressed gratitude for the construction of the road as it significantly reduced travel time. However, he stated that the construction appeared incomplete as the necessary road signs were missing upon the road’s opening to motorists.
Concerned about the occurrence of accidents, Razakhi emphasized the need for measures to address their safety concerns. He stated that an overturned car incident occurred a few weeks ago when a driver attempted to avoid a motorcycle. Fortunately, there were no fatalities. To address these concerns, Razakhi, along with two other residents associations, plans to deliver a letter to the mayor and send a copy to the Perak Mentri Besar.
Nazri says residents no longer feel safe especially during peak hours.Residents Association Chairman of Taman Meru Perdana 2, Mohd Nazri Mohd Ariff, conveyed concerns about safety, particularly during peak hours. He hopes to see speed bumps and additional barriers installed along the road near residential areas. Nazri also called for the repainting of faded road lines.
Taman Chepor Idaman Residents Association Chairman, Syukor Jalinu, expressed the need for increased police patrols to curb illegal racing activities. Motorcycle racers typically gather in the area between the roundabout and road towards Klebang, engaging in racing from 11 pm onwards.
Syukor wants police to conduct more patrols to curb illegal racing.During the recent Perak state assembly sitting, Hafez Sabri, the Manjoi assemblyman, raised the concerns and requested solutions from the state government. In response, Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, the Perak public infrastructure committee chairman, stated that the speed limit on the road would be set at 60km/h and road signs would be erected to inform drivers of the limit. He assured that the city council would address the highlighted concerns within two weeks by adding road signs, repainting road lines, and improving the safety measures around the roundabout. The city council will also explore the suggestion of constructing speed bumps. Additionally, efforts will be made to curtail illegal racing activities through joint operations with the police.
Credit: The Star : Metro Feed
