Bukit Batok resident tells MP Lee Hong Chuang that ramp 'wasn't fixed', town council removes 'unauthorised fixture'

An unauthorised ramp in a Bukit Batok estate was removed by authorities after a resident gave feedback to the estate's Member of Parliament (MP) that it had not been fixed in years.

The ramp in question had been constructed at the edge of a walkway near the carpark at 467 Bukit Batok West Ave 9.

Resident gave feedback that ramp not 'fixed'

In a May 16 post, Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC MP Lee Hong Chuang said the ramp issue was one of the pieces of feedback he had received in the short time he had taken charge of the estate.

In screenshots of the messages, a resident had written to Lee, saying that the ramp near the loading and unloading area behind the Block 467 carpark had not been fixed "for five years that I've stayed here".

Attached was a picture of a concrete ramp visibly damaged from wear and tear.

The resident added that they had reported the matter multiple times to authorities, but only got replies that said they would look into it.

Ramp removed by authorities

In his post, Lee attached a set of before-and-after pictures which showed that the ramp had been removed.

Lee noted that "there is certainly much that can be done", and expressed his gratitude to Chua Chu Kang Town Council in addressing their requests.

"While we may not be able to resolve everything at once, as the saying goes, we can pick up one starfish at a time and return it to the ocean. In the same spirit, I hope we can tackle each issue, one by one," Lee wrote.

Lee's post sparked controversy, with some users questioning if he had missed the point of the resident's complaint.

Others asked if a new ramp would be built in place of the previous one, to serve the needs of the residents.

However, a few users posited that the concrete ramp may have been removed as it was not approved by authorities.

Town Council's response

In response to Mothership's enquiries, the Chua Chu Kang Town Council said that following feedback from residents, it inspected the “ramp” near the bin centre and found it to be an unauthorised third-party installation to facilitate moving works.

The town council said the makeshift fixture caused the pavement to be uneven and posed a safety hazard.

As such, the town council removed the unauthorised fixture for the safety and well-being of residents.

"Should there be a genuine need for a ramp at this location, the town council will assess the feasibility of constructing one that meets the necessary building requirements.

The town council remains committed to maintaining a safe living environment and accessibility for our residents.

We thank our residents for their feedback and seek their kind understanding in this matter."

Top image from Lee Hong Chuang/Facebook