Residents say this brick wall along the highway cannot effectively filter traffic noise. — Photos: LOW BOON TAT/The Star
Residents say noise from highway affecting their quality of life
RESIDENTS of Taman Tiara Titiwangsa are having sleepless nights due to noise coming from a highway next to their neighbourhood in Kuala Lumpur.
They have requested for sound barriers along a stretch of Duta-Ulu Kelang Expressway (DUKE) near their homes, but no action has been taken.
They said the problem began in the mid 2000s after the expressway started operating and has grown worse.
“Adding to our woes is the illegal racing that often takes place in the wee hours,” said Taman Tiara Titiwangsa Residents Association (RA) committee member Sylvester Navaratnam.
“Multiple meetings with Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and complaints to Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) have failed to find a solution.
“DBKL said it would refer to LLM, but nothing has happened,” he said, adding that the noise was affecting the residents’ quality of life.
While a brick wall has been built along the stretch of highway next to their housing area, it was insufficient to filter traffic noise, said Navaratnam, who insisted for a proper barrier.
He said a measurement done by a resident, who is an engineer, found the noise level to be between 75dB (decibels) and 80dB.
Sylvester (seated, right), Roslina (seated, centre) and fellow residents looking at a map of the expressway’s proximity to their houses.
Department of Environment’s guideline stipulates the permissible noise level from road traffic in urban areas at between 60dB and 65dB.
Residents of Taman Tasik Titiwangsa, located across from Tiara Titiwangsa and separated by the highway, are also upset.
Its RA committee member Roslina Abd Rahman said they were told a noise barrier would be built for their housing area.
“We were told this before the highway was constructed.
“Those in charge should honour this,” she said, adding that the noise had grown worse in recent weeks after trees next to the highway were felled.
“The plants acted as a partial barrier but now they are gone,” she said, urging for immediate action by the relevant parties.
LLM, in an email response to StarMetro, said complaints should be submitted via the Public Complaints Management System (Sispaa).
A spokesperson of the highway concessionaire, Konsortium Lebuhraya Utara-Timur (KL) Sdn Bhd, said the issue had been forwarded to the management for review.
