Business operators claim that they have lost customers and staff since the closure of Jalan Kenari 11 a year ago to reduce traffic congestion.

BY OH ING YEEN

BUSINESS operators along Jalan Kenari 11 in Bandar Puchong Jaya, Puchong, want the road to be reopened.

It was closed a year ago to reduce traffic congestion from the Damansara-Puchong Highway (LDP) to the Jalan Kenari commercial area.

Jaynes Au, who works as a salesman at a home appliance store, said business dropped by at least 40% and half of the sales staff had resigned after the road closure.

The store pays Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) RM350 every month for their reserved parking bay.

“Customers find it troublesome to get to our shop, so they have started going elsewhere.

“We had eight salesmen and since the road closure, we are left with four,” he said.

Roy Chong, who works as a manager at a restaurant in Jalan Kenari 11, said they noticed fewer customers immediately after the road closure, which came into effect just two months after the restaurant opened.

“Previously, people entered the commercial area via Jalan Kenari 11 from the LDP.

Now, we only have regulars coming here as not many people will turn into this street now that motorists cannot access it directly,” he said.

Both Au and Chong hoped the council would reopen the road.

At a press conference, Zone 14 Residents’ Representative Committee (JPP) chairman Lawrence Chiew, who has been receiving complaints from business owners in the commercial area, suggested that MPSJ consider having Jalan Kenari 11 open to traffic from 9.30am to 4.30pm, similar to banking hours.

“I have observed that the LDP is mostly congested during the evening rush hours, so the road will be closed before that time.

“Many business owners in this site are affected, some have closed shop or are thinking of relocating,” he said.

He pointed out that the road closure also posed an inconvenience to those going to the police station in Jalan Kenari 11.

“The public will need to take a longer route from the LDP via Jalan Kenari 4 to get to the station,” he added.

Zone 12 JPP chairman Zaulkefli Ahmad echoed Chiew’s view on having the road opened during daytime but elaborated that he understood the council had closed the road for safety reasons.

Puchong Gerakan chairman Jimmy Chew Jyh Gang proposed that a signboard be put up to inform motorists that Jalan Kenari 8 be used as an alternative to enter the commercial area, as a way to disperse traffic.

Kinrara service centre chief and Puchong MCA secretary Liew Yew Fook criticised the authorities for not carrying out a survey to get the views of business operators before proceeding to close the road.

He also said there was lack of traffic enforcement by the council in the commercial area.

“The commercial area is congested because people double or triple park,” he said, adding that he would prefer Jalan Kenari 11 to be reopened instead of having a limited time of usage.

When contacted, George Yap, who is councillor for the area, said the council had discussed the matter at last month’s infrastructure meeting and was still weighing various solutions.

“One option was to open Jalan Kenari 7 but it was rejected by LDP concessionaire Lingkaran Trans Kota Sdn Bhd for safety reasons.”

He said that since the closure, a traffic impact assessment report was carried out.

“The closure did improve traffic flow along the LDP.

“We have spoken to business operators there and are aware of their concerns. We hope to come up with a balanced solution to address that as well as the congestion problem,” he said.

On the suggestion for the road to be opened to direct traffic access only during selected hours, Yap said it might cause confusion and was concerned that motorists might not follow the ruling.