By Huang Huifen

Whenever Mr Errol Goodenough, a resident of Loyang Valley condominium, drives out of his estate, he feels anxious.

The 61-year-old retiree has to turn into Loyang Avenue, a 4km road which stretches from Tampines Expressway (TPE) to Changi Village.

It is mainly a straight road and many motorists, including drivers of heavy vehicles, are known to speed there.

It has also become a hot spot for accidents.

On May 21, a crash killed three people heading to Changi Village.

Police said the car belonging to cargo agent Richard Constantine Pereira skidded and hit a tree.

He was with two women whose identities are still unknown.

The accident prompted Mr Goodenough to write a letter to The Straits Times Forum page to highlight the area's hazards.

"Just hours before the fiery crash on May 21, a driver smashed his vehicle into the fence along the road divider outside Loyang Valley," he said.

"Even more tragic was the death of an innocent man whose car was crushed by a heavy truck at a junction in March last year."

Over the past nine years, the media has reported at least seven fatal and non-fatal accidents along that stretch.

For example, in December last year, a woman and her unborn child were killed when the motorcycle she was riding pillion on collided with a taxi at the junction of Tampines Avenue 7 and Loyang Avenue.

Loyang Avenue runs through an area which is home to factories as well as the Loyang Valley condominium and pockets of landed property and HDB flats.

"I've lost count of the number of accidents," said Mr Goodenough, who has lived in Loyang Valley for 24 years.

He recalled how he saw a dead body being extricated from a car about 20 years ago.

About eight years ago, his 17-year-old neighbour was hit by a car just outside the estate and died.

According to Mr Tng Kim Choon, 59, chairman of the management committee of Loyang Valley, which has 362 units, vehicles from the TPE tend to speed along the straight road.

But when they reach a corner at the SIA Engineering Company and Hendon Camp, they could lose control and crash, said the lawyer.

After the death of the 17-year-old early this decade, the management committee asked the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and Traffic Police for a traffic light outside the condo, and got it.

In 2003, the LTA widened Loyang Avenue to three lanes in both directions.

Three overhead bridges have been built near Loyang Villas estate and Loyang Valley.

Residents said drivers of heavy vehicles using Loyang Avenue to access the Loyang Industrial Park or Changi Airport also pose hazards.

Said another Loyang Valley resident, Ms Monica Wong, 52, a full-time volunteer: "I once tried to chase a heavy vehicle which was weaving in and out of traffic to give him a piece of my mind but I lost sight of him after a while."

Mr Goodenough recounted how heavy vehicles have tailgated him many times and flashed their headlights to get him to move out of their way.

At night, the stretch of nearby road between Pasir Ris Drive 3 and Changi Village Road is also known to attract illegal racers.

Mr Tng said he can hear the revving of engines almost every night.

"My concern is not just for the safety of residents, but also that of the factory workers in the industrial estate and worshippers at the nearby Loyang Tua Pek Kong Temple," he added.

Mr Abdullah Tarmugi, MP for East Coast GRC who oversees the area, said traffic has increased now that Changi Village is abuzz with activities, especially at weekends.

More people are also moving into condominiums in Flora Road and the vicinity.

He said the current road-safety measures are not enough to cater to the swelling population at Flora Road.

His view is that the authorities should get the property developers to provide new roads to allow residents in Flora Road to access Upper Changi Road North.

There should also be more roads for heavy vehicles to get from Loyang Industrial Estate to the various expressways.

"It is best if they can bypass Loyang Avenue," he said.

Referring to the illegal night races, Mr Abdullah stressed the need for speed cameras and increased surveillance by the Traffic Police.

Loyang resident Richard Dunster, 56, agrees.

"What's the cost of speed cameras if they can save the lives of our children?" said the project manager.

On their part, the Traffic Police said it is also the responsibility of motorists to make roads safer.

"Motorists should always be alert and careful, and refrain from irresponsible driving behaviour like speeding, drink-driving, reckless or dangerous driving," a spokesman said.

hfhuang@sph.com.sg

How can Loyang Avenue be made safer?

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