By Ng Lian Cheong | Posted: 01 June 2011 2144 hrs
SINGAPORE : The Land
Transport Authority (LTA) has served 31 notices to coffeeshop operators
in Geylang for failing to remove chairs and tables obstructing
five-foot ways despite repeated warnings.
Using drain covers to
widen five-foot ways so that chairs and tables can be placed on them is a
common sight in Geylang. By doing so, coffeeshops can have an extra 20
tables, or 100 customers, during lunch and dinner.
However, LTA wants them removed as they are obstructing pedestrian movements.
Two
coffeeshop associations - Kheng Keow Coffee Merchants Restaurant &
Bar-Owners Association and Foochow Coffee Restaurant & Bar Merchants
Association - which represent operators here, told Channel NewsAsia
that LTA was being too strict.
They said LTA had either issued warnings or fines of S$400 each to some 200 of their members in Geylang.
Foo
Jong Peng, chairman of Kheng Keow Coffee Merchants Restaurant &
Bar-Owners Association, said: "Without the 100 extra seats for
customers, business here would be limited. And with the rent and utility
costs being so high, the loss of business would mean about 20 workers
at each coffeeshop could be out of a job."
LTA served an average of 500 notices in 2009 and 2010.
The
authority said it would like to remind all shop owners that under the
Street Works Act, they have to keep all five-foot ways and public
walkways clear at all times so as not to impede the movement of
pedestrians.
For enquiries or feedback on the obstruction of a public walkway, the public can call LTA at 1800-CALL LTA (1800-2255582).
- CNA
kopitiams can close shop.
change business.