Walking in SS15, Subang Jaya can often be an obstacle course. — ART CHEN/The Star
THE five-foot way outside many shops in the SS15 commercial area in Subang Jaya have become a hazard for pedestrians.
Many are uneven and dotted with broken concrete and misaligned manhole covers, a check by StarMetro revealed.
Subang Jaya resident CP Goh said he had seen people tripping along Jalan SS15/4 because of the uneven surface.
“Both the road and pavement in front of the shops need the urgent attention of Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ),” he said.
Uneven roads and pavements endanger pedestrians.
Varsity student Amiz Umar Din told StarMetro of an injury he sustained to his wrist after a fall in February outside a food shop at Jalan SS15/4B.
He had stepped into a gaping hole in the pavement and lost his footing.
The hole was a lightweight inspection pit that was missing its cover, he said, adding that the incident had left him needing three stitches.
Goh says uneven surfaces are causing people to fall and injure themselves.According to Malaysian Institute of Planners council member Annie Syazrin Ismail, an uneven footpath, which can be termed a hazard, is any defect of 0.6cm or more outside shops along a pavement or five-foot way.
“Ongoing maintenance of footpaths is crucial to create an environment that is conducive for walking.
“As local councils encourage people to walk and lead active lifestyles, pavements must be prioritised,” she said.
Annie, a professional town planner, said the SS15 light rail transit station was within the commercial area and designed for last-mile connectivity, so good walkways were important to encourage people to use public transport.
Restaurant manager Goh Zhen Wei said it was time MBSJ had a look at the walkways as SS15 was popular among domestic and foreign tourists.
Annie says good walkways will encourage more to use public transport.“Uneven pavements and road surfaces pose a risk particularly to the elderly and people with mobility issues,” he said.
Zhen Wei added that comments from stakeholders in the area must be taken into account before the plan to improve walkability is drawn up.
“People need shaded walkways that offer protection from the sun and rain,” he said.
Entrepreneur Redzuan Badrul said MBSJ must ensure mini ramps were installed to help the visually impaired and wheelchair users.
“We need to have pavements that are disabled-friendly, including tactiles,” he said.
Coffeeshop owner Ng Man Lek said pavements outside shops came under the purview of the local council.
He said the city council must instal railings to ensure children and adults do not fall into drains along footpaths.
While Subang Jaya mayor Datuk Amirul Azizan Abd Rahim gave assurance that the pavements and roads would be repaired, MBSJ Planning Department town planner Shazwani Mohammad Sahlan said footpaths in and around the SS15 commercial area would be improved in phases.
