MBKS to meet with PWD to address pedestrian safety issues

KUCHING: The Kuching South City Council (MBKS) will be arranging a meeting with the Public Works Department (PWD) to resolve pedestrian crossing and safety issues.
 
This was following the death of a foreigner who was run over by a pickup truck while crossing the multilane road at Jalan Rock, 3rd Mile, yesterday (April 15).
 
MBKS mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng, during his ‘Shall WEE Talk’ session on Facebook, said the council will look into the cause as to why pedestrians are refusing to use the overhead bridge.
 
He added that an escalator-equipped bridge has been constructed at 3rd Mile to ensure pedestrian safety and provide convenience for people with mobility disabilities.
 
“We will see how this issue can be resolved as it has been a while since a fatal accident was reported in that area.
 
“I believe that the escalator is operational; however, there are some who pressed the stop button and caused the escalator to stop functioning.
 
“We also need to ensure there is a team maintaining the escalator, which MBKS does not have unless it is contracted to a professional company,” he said.
 
Wee assured that his council will look into the key factors influencing pedestrian crossing difficulty, aside from measures such as installing high-resolution closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras to keep public areas and the people safe.
 
In this regard, the public is advised to not take unnecessary risks and use the overhead bridge to cross busy roads, even though it may be inconvenient to climb up the stairs.
 
It is said that prior to the construction of the bridge, there had been a lot of accidents reported in that area involving pedestrians being hit by cars.
 
“The bridge was constructed to aid pedestrian crossings because not only does the road in both directions have multiple lanes, but it is a busy road,” he said.