Photos have been circulating of cracks on the hlll-slope roads leading to the Vale of Temp.
Some time ago, I wrote a blog post about cracks on the road to Batu Ferringhi, not too far from where the sections of the road have cracked or given way.
Apparently, there’s even a sink hole, somewhere near Gottlieb Road. From what I hear, there used to be waterway from the Botanic Garden to Gurney Drive, which was covered over when Gottlieb Road was built.
You see, we have been allowing higher density property development, especially in places like Tanjung Bungah and Batu Ferringhi, without looking at whether the supporting infrastructure can cope. In a blog post about cracks on the road, I wrote: “Residents worry that the supporting existing infrastructure (e.g. roads) will be unable to cope with the higher density.”
That road near Vale of Temp was never meant for heavy vehicles or the heavy traffic that high density development has created.
The following is is the original blog post from 9 January 2015:
Stress marks and cracks have appeared along the main road to Batu Ferringhi which hugs the hillslopes along the north and north-west coastline of Penang Island.
A concerned Batu Ferringhi resident, an experienced engineer, snapped these photos on 15 January 2015, just a couple of weeks after the peak Christmas/New Year tourist season at this popular tourist belt.
They three affected stretches are near a military camp, the Baptist Theological Seminary and Moonlight Cafe. It is unclear what has caused the stress marks on the road.
Batu Ferringhi has been a centre of controversy after it emerged that much higher densities for high-rise propertly development projects along the coast could be in the pipeline.
These higher densities could turn the tourist belt, known for its relaxed setting into a congested ‘primary development corridor’ instead of the secondary development corridor as laid out in the Penang Structure Plan (2005-2020).
Even Tanjung Bunga was supposed to be a secondary development corridor, according to the text of the Structure Plan, but the colour of the zoning illustration was somehow changed to indicate that it is purportedly a primary development corridor.
Residents worry that the supporting existing infrastructure (e.g. roads) will be unable to cope with the higher density.
A controversial new “paired road” has been planned, but already there are fears that this may now be pushed even higher up the coastal hill-slope, given that much of the lower hill-slopes have already been built up.
The more detailed Penang Island Local Plan, approved in 2008, has not yet been gazetted after seven years. This has effectively allowed what appears to be a discretionary free-for-all in density planning, turning Penang into a paradise for developers.
Penang has been touted in international reports as an ideal place to retire. But the irony is that many among the foreign retirees already settled here have expressed disquiet at the lack of proper planning procedures.
| Please help to support this blog if you can. Read the commenting guidlelines for this blog. |
With an 8.8 kilometre-long network of cycling paths completed some months ahead of schedule, cycling enthusiasts in Punggol (Singapore) can now get around the neighbourhood more easily on their bikes.
Hopefully Penang could emulate this.
Please ask the Jabatan Mineral dan Geosains Malaysia ( Unit Kejuruteraan) to investigate on the road cracks. A geological report should be furnished.
Office to contact is located in Alor Setar which covers Penang , Kedah and Perlis.
Chopping down the trees, high traffic, high density development are testimonies of capable state government under the stewardship of LGE. BRAVO LGE… Penangites are rewarded with concrete jungle and high traffic volume. These are sign of progress in the state brought by LGE. Majulah Pulau Pinang
you want gomen to do nothing like kelantan when pg lang in the past used to ride push bikes and then kapcais and now cars? some thinks cars no good. 4wds with monkey bars better. some even moves to SP..there is a choice. but until old yoy still wants to live in pg unlike your forefathers left teng suah and come to small hot place like pg
National Home Buyers Association (NHBA) cracks open the artificial inflation of housing prices.
A MUST READ of how it’s done (now an open secret) & no more an excuse to raise prices beyond consumers’ affordability. Many thanks to NHBA secretary-general, Chang Kim Loong.
Developers still fuelling speculation, Putrajaya told
https://sg.news.yahoo.com/developers-still-fuelling-speculation-putrajaya-told-091900495.html
Developers are artificially inflating prices and offering rebates that allow speculators to buy without down payments, according to the National Home Buyers Association.
Another MUST READ:
How a skewed system keeps house prices high and developers rich
https://sg.news.yahoo.com/skewed-system-keeps-house-prices-high-developers-rich-224100637.html
No wonder there were exhilarated recruitments of property agents & selling of property development as The Career & Multi-million Business (respectively) of the Decade by exhilarated property gurus in the exhilarated ballrooms of 5-star hotels. Becos they knew this is a whole lot of skewed system manipulated by the greedy.
Your beloved Star today reported that home prices will not fall.
So , What have we here? The roads on the Island are falling apart? Oh but wait, Mr Anil Kapoor and all the other NGOs that have suddenly sprung up are AGAINST the tunnel and the 3 paired roads project outlined in the HALCROW REPORT ! ARE THEY NOT? No need to spend a SINGLE SEN on wasteful projects, they said! The way I see it, we can all stand idly by as the island crumbles, or we can make our voices heard that we want new and better and faster connections between the island and mainland ! And better… Read more »
éæå°¼ē¾ę¶ ę made news on China Press:
Complaining too many cars at Gurney Drive.
http://www.chinapress.com.my/20161016/ę¢ē²µå»£ļ¼å”«ęµ·č“å°å¹é«ę¼²-ęŖä¾å±å¹ęéē¾č¬/
SinChewJitPoh and China Press reported on the meeting which Anil has attended with Think City.
Would Anil care to share the outcome and plans after that meetings?
I try to scan the pages with Anil’s for the benefits of those who don’t get such juices from The Star or NST.
Which meeting was this? About Gurney Drive?
China Street Ghsut streetscape upgrade project on progress now for completion by July next year to transform the area with pedestrian walk, also urban jungle at Armenian Park to be funded by Aga Khan Trust for Culture managed by Asian Global Business part of Think City project.
Likewise, road cracks can be resolved with JKR from federal government budget 2016 funding.
In the face of what lurking dangers & environmental consequences can come from Penang Cosmopolitan Frenzied Development, here is an article to ask why housing (in the first place) should be available to all income brackets. And we may not need to be frenzied to do away with greed. Comparing houses with cars http://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2016/10/15/comparing-houses-with-cars/ Are there too many Bentleys and Mercedes ā NoAre there too many RM1mil houses ā Yes KHAZANAH Research Institute research director Suraya Ismail uses the car metaphor to describe the Malaysian housing market. Are our roads clogged with too many Bentley and Mercedes-Benz cars? No. On… Read more »
Move to Seberang Prai for cheaper home option.
Long message by tunlang but little substance until Syamil summarised effectively in one sentence.
B’cos you don’t read but knee-jerk…
What a waste of space!
Cracking a sign of overpopulated island by humans and motor vehicles?
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=m49itIf9yms
Let’s move over to mainland be good neighbors of Peter Phang, as development is mushrooming at Butterworth vicinity with the opening of Penang Sentral a catalyst of hopefully a sustainable growth.
Check up the “China Street Ghaut Streetscape Project” at George Town by Think City and Aga Khan Trust for Culture:
http://www.chinapress.com.my/20161015/å¬ę²»åø大č”č·Æé ę¹é äøęå±é-ä¼éč”ęÆč®ä½ åæäŗē¹/
That stretch of Jalan Lembah Permai actually belongs to PBA. It was opened up to ease traffic congestion along Jalan Tanjung Tokong. That part was designed for light vehicle use only, but we have seen back hoe and heavily laden lorries bringing construction materials to Lembah Permai. The developers should know very well not to use that road because there are already warning signs forbidding heavy vehicles from entering that stretch of the road. There’s no enforcement and nothing will be done until accidents happen!
public roads and what is rela, aux mata and federal mata doing?
To the fascist, mountains, hills, rivers, lakes, forests all represent untapped money. Here are some typical, arrogant statements from those who should be serving the public: – Do not speculate. – Do not spread rumours or exaggerate. – Criticism is sedition. – Report through proper channels. – We have not received any report. – We are aware of the situation and will look into it. – We are looking into it. – We have formed a special, high-level committee to look into it. – We have called for tenders/awarded the contract/followed up with the contractor. – It was the fault… Read more »
Penang road collapse forces six-week closure and evacuation
http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2016/10/14/penang-road-collapse-forces-sixweek-closure-and-evacuation/
The day of the hill dragon terrible reckoning has arrived?
I fear the same may happen in Paya Terubong esp. Bukit Kukus where massive hill clearing is in progress for building a road running parallel (on the hill) to Jalan Paya Terubong.
CAT, you better don’t sleep well! Esp Niao Kong!
I think the place should be exclusive or the few rich people in Penang.
The wrath of the hill is due to intrusion for more housing?
Keep the place exclusive in Penang, so that Batu Feringghi can continue to be associated with the 1% high society of Penang.
Like that Penang can attract and retain the rich and famous.
That Tanjung Bungah – Batu Ferringhi area has more super-expensive housing development than the entire Penang Island. You wanna qualify that for housing for the masses (i.e. 1% rich + 99% middle income > poor)?
Pls go have a good look before counting based on numbers (to justify CAT’s housing tunnel vision) without the price tags.
No reason for you to attack other’s view to justify your opinion which may not necessary be a fact.
he has every reasons because he thinks he is TUN lang. he will sue, he will bark and order people to see him and Anil allow him to use the term donkey whereas Anil bar me from using this term and render my contribution meaningless.
Typical cyber bully who cannot accept other points of view!
I have decided to stop commenting now as I dislike a bully lang in this blog.
Farewell!
Munnerovum!
departure of Ganesh following the footsteps of Raj666, Yang …..
btw, can Anil help to translate “Munnerovum” ?
No idea what it means. It’s tricky trying to moderate with all these strange words.
The Karma payback time of CAT’s Intransigent + Arrogance of Slippery Development has finally arrived. What’s the point of profitable + massive financial returns from unsavoury swap deals with greedy-not-enough developers from KL, SingLand & God knows where (backed by perennial blame game of Fed’s peanut funding) BUT leading to this state of dangerous & life threatening environmental affair? It’s high time for responsible & accountable action of CAT(?) by bringing the perpetual MIA Penang Local Plan from hiding backroom of 28th Flr Komtar for public scrutiny of land zoning. No more blame game to start with this dangerous turn… Read more »
Gerakan or PCM or PFP would be proud of you, possibly inviting you for their ceramah to attack LGE. Dedak for you, I believe.
Political empathy in times of calamities or dangerous environmental crisis? All I can say is: Nature is no game for political empathy, neither does it ‘cham siong’ with politicians or corporations for private greedy enterprise that breaks the eternal laws of nature. Go back to school to learn Real Geography to understand Nature, not the Geography mixed with political empathy as fantasised in dizzy minds. Should any loss of lives result from such environments crisis in Penang, how about more defensive political empathy for your Niao Kong? Or why not blame God for shedding more rain tears everyday? Pls grow… Read more »
You should live in a cave to embrace nature, else stop complaining unless your house is a natural thing, not man-made.
Live with Niao Kong?
with young sexy comrades as added incentives to overcome the niaokong arrogance with Baljit’s strategies???
all because more and more people, tourists, factories, more viets, burmese, banglas and more cars in penang. why penang lang use to push bike now change to cars not enough those who bark change to 4wd in penang town treating like riding camel adventure.
It does look like the whole of that narrow passage way of Batu Feringghi is sinking ?
Worse, that’s the only road people use every day ?
Most of the coastal roads along that tourist stretch are narrow + facing a hill slope at the left side (if one is going towards Teluk Bahang) & ripe for such disaster should more unchecked development of that scale go free-for-all-greedy. On a normal daylight hour, that affected stretch of Vale of Temp Road has a volume of estimated 7,200 vehicles plying 2-way in an hour (given a one second = 2 vehicles count). Figure in the 1-3 tonne lorries, what small road can bear that vehicle volume & weight + velocity, more so on a sloping road that twist… Read more »
If more vehicles the road should sink as it is getting more compact like roller to consolidate the soil. How it does not fail during no raining days but fail in mist of rain??
Don’t worry, it seems a new parallel highway is going to build along the Batu Feringghi to Teluk Bahang area soon.
anil and tun lang are most worried even one of them use 4wd as cars are not good enough in penang roads.
Cracks could also be due to poor quality construction and no maintenance?
Cracks are also common among Umno ministers. Surat Sokong are issued to cover the cracks of 1MDB, and lately to support K14?
AG keeps mum on Zahid’s letter to FBI
This should go under the Readers’ Alerts sections.
The photo’s were taken 15 January 2015? My calender says it’s just hit 10th January 2015. Wow!!!Who owns the time machine?
Back to the future!
Sorry, it should read 7 January 2015.
The luster of Batu Feringghi will be soon be gone and so will Penang Hill.
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Hill may soon lose its appeal no thanks to unmonitored cultivation that is chipping away its green landscape from the incompetent CAT.
http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2015/01/09/penang-hill-losing-lure-due-to-farming-activities/
Yang, I have a new term for these road cracks along Batu Ferringhi: Coast-Crack-Politan Penang. First we have Coast-Mud-Politan Penang, then Botak-ed Hills, now this. We are living in unprecedented dangerous times, notwithstanding the bling-bling status of Cosmopolitan with all the promises of 1st world standard of living but only for the rich & famous. Losing lives in disasters is to some fellas an acceptable ‘inevitable’ price to pay for ‘ai bin chui’ development, which is also a political portfolio for GEs as well as a token (small) price of Cosmopolitan Penang that will boast to lead ahead of all… Read more »
Penang Hill undergoing positive image overhaul. Many locals who can’t afford to go abroad or even drive 4Wheel to Royal Belum can be proud of The Habitat at Penang Hill.
This weekend to take your family for an outing to The Habitat at Penang Hill, as during school holidays later will be too crowded.
they can get free trip and all expenses paid to belum by tun lang as he offer the challenge twice.
The Bunians are waiting for you, patiently. Kay Bo?
Anyway, this one way trip of a lifetime is good …!
My advice, if you accept it is to first write a will for your beloved!
You think LGE willing to buy the property when you offer the trip calling them Kay bo? Only … brain thinks that. You are not the willing party to offer and we are not the willing party to accept when in the first place calling them Kay bo
LGE tak boleh are you willing to accept tun lang offer of free trip with his remark Kay bo? Is there willing seller and willing buyer?
Dare or not? Don’t shift this offer to others!
behaving and acting like small boy…
These types of cracks are common on the road called the Vale of Thames or Lebah Permai on the winding road section heading down to Jalan Fettes. The roadworks department keeps on widening this road and removing sharp corners by building a rock boundary wall, then filling in between the old road and the rock wall with rocks, then covering with soil. Last a layer of gravel is put down and then covered with tar-seal. This creates a very soft section of road that sinks and sometimes collapses. This is fixed by dumping more soil, and is repeated until the… Read more »
Isn’t that the classic sign of slope failure?
A prelude for landslide?
A motorists must Waspada! Avoid the roads if necessary.
These cracks have been there since two to three years back then lah !
The alternative paired road is also planned many years back lah ! Now only we see the DAP’s dilly dally ?
yet they are like pasar traders selling snake oil blame on karma and enviroment. pics show clear cut failure between old and extension.