ST 28/12/2006:Still stairs to climb after lift upgrades

Straits Times 28/12/2006
Still stairs to climb after lift upgrades;
HDB will have to resort to half-landings in some blocks
Tan Hui Yee

RESIDENTS in 22 public housing blocks across the island will still have to climb some stairs to get to the lift, even after paying for lift upgrading on their estates.

According to the Housing Board, getting the lift to stop at every floor in these blocks is too expensive or simply not feasible.

'As far as possible, all flats would be provided with direct lift access. However, due to site/technical constraints, it may exceed the budget or it may not be feasible to do so in some blocks. Where it is within the budget to provide half landing solutions, it could be offered to the flat owners,' said the HDB.

Nearby, in the Sunset Way area, some residents are worried about the prospect of half-landings.

Those living in Blocks 101 and 103, part of a precinct of 15 blocks there, have been told that they, too, would get half-landings. The polling date for this precinct has not been set.

Twenty residents in Block 101 submitted a petition last Monday to their MP, Mr Christopher de Souza, asking for these plans to be reconsidered. It said: 'If this 'half-floor' proposal were to go through, what would happen in the future when more of us are elderly and unable to negotiate the stairs? Would we need another upgrading programme to have lifts on every floor, finally?'

One of the petitioners, physician David Tham, 55, told The Straits Times: 'Eight steps - for stroke patients - is very important. In this case, the purpose of the lift upgrading is not very meaningful.'

Mr de Souza has highlighted the concerns to HDB.

But the majority of residents offered these plans have accepted them.

What does Highlighting mean, homeboy? Like, do you do anything? Or do you just send 'em a piece of paper with bits coloured to show they're extra-special important?

Cos I'm telling you, those bits of paper in a bureacracy - they get lost real quick. Now, setting them on fire - that might get attention.

People like action, homeboy. Or you're just talking the walk.