RESIDENTS WANT ROAD SAFETY IMPROVED

Jamaludin Husin
2009/09/07

A 10KM stretch of Jalan Panchor-Gersik, Muar, is a hazard to motorists due to the heavy volume of traffic daily.

Jalan Panchor-Gersik has become dangerous due to the heavy traffic and speeding lorries.

Lorries, factory buses, taxis, cars and motorcycles use the road as a main route between the industrial estate in Pagoh and villages and residential areas in Gersik.

While many lorries used the road to transport goods, cars and motorcycles use the road as a short cut to get to nearby towns of Bukit Serampang, Kundang Ulu and Pengkalan Kota.

A resident, Aladin Ahmad, 45, said very few motorists used the road when it opened in 1996.

The road was constructed with a bridge over an upstream section of the Muar River in 1996.

"There were few vehicles when it first opened. Now it is a different scenario as many vehicles, including factory buses, are plying the road.

Aladin said speeding lorries posed a danger to smaller vehicles. He urged the authorities to widen the road to four lanes to avoid accidents.

Meanwhile, Kampung Melayu Panchor village development and security committee (JKKK) chairman Saat Md Samen said there had been four fatal accidents along the stretch since it was opened.

He said the JKKK had proposed that the road be upgraded in the Panchor Baru Action Plan 2009/2010, which was submitted to the government in March.

"Upgrading the road would help to alleviate problems among motorists and increase the socio-economic status of the residents."

SOURCE: NEW STRAITS TIMES, JOHOR STREETS, SEPTEMBER 7, 2009