Sunday, February 7, 2021

Van drives on PCN in Punggol, draws stares and scoldings from pedestrians

Source Website: https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/van-drives-pcn-punggol-draws-stares-and-scoldings-pedestrians
By Kimberly Anne Lim, kimberlylim@asiaone.com, AsiaOne, 12 January 2021 at 4:25 pm


The vehicle belongs to a maintenance contractor and had obtained approval from the National Parks Board to drive on the Park Connector Network, according to an approval document shared by Roads.sg in an update today (12 January 2021 at 4:25 pm]).
PHOTO: The vehicle belongs to a maintenance contractor and had obtained approval from the National Parks Board to drive on the Park Connector Network, according to an approval document shared by Roads.sg in an update today (12 January 2021 at 4:25 pm).
Picture posted by Kimberly Anne Lim, kimberlylim@asiaone.com, AsiaOne on 12 January 2021 at 4:25 pm
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyWITH_zH29ggO_LBl9vxBgsvzATRcpgIJKzXU8Lvj5EqXHE1Gnu48UuOYZZR94f4B8EqBuLmWAag8ZCT5hjWBNA8kZl8cKFPA0VmzEdSDPuq_5IOwpnJaPoXwGD09PVyXD9siUP7bWoU/s848/pcnvan+%25281%2529_11.png
https://www.asiaone.com/sites/default/files/styles/article_main_image/public/original_images/Jan2021/pcnvan%20%281%29.jpg?itok=f6FK_3qm
https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/van-drives-pcn-punggol-draws-stares-and-scoldings-pedestrians
 
 
The vehicle belongs to a maintenance contractor and had obtained approval from the National Parks Board to drive on the Park Connector Network, according to an approval document shared by Roads.sg in an update today (12 January 2021 at 4:25 pm).

The contractor had reached out to them to clarify that they were in the park on official business, Roads.sg added.

Going on a jaunt on Singapore's picturesque Park Connector Network (PCN) is a great way to take in our local sights and sounds. Pedestrians on a PCN in Punggol, though, were treated to an unusual spectacle on Saturday (Jan 9) — a van trundling along the walking path.


My impression was that most park connector use is recreational in nature.
PHOTO: My impression was that most park connector use is recreational in nature. There are lots of cyclists (joined, I think unfortunately, by users of what in Singapore are called “personal-mobility devices” (PMDs), that is, electrically powered scooters and bicycles).2 There are also a fair number of runners and of people who appear to be fairly serious walkers, or at least dog walkers. Most of the park connectors in Punggol and Sengkang (as well as elsewhere in Singapore) have acquired a solid line to separate pedestrians from cyclists and PMD users; in a few places there are two separate paths. There are only a small number of benches along the park connectors; they do get used, and I rather suspect that additional benches would be appreciated. I wouldn’t describe the park connectors of Punggol and Sengkang as being overwhelmingly crowded at any time, but they aren’t empty either. [2]
Picture posted by Christopher Winters, Liberal Landscape on 17 February 2019
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP5d-CUjdN2PuMIo7SAseDBXRW9BoiXY0WFZWjO-TDTxzAzIDFnp7VzmIQmh15uUjR0luZrLBtEqJO5nOolZtponKaDCZbnJmT1PL6OvXgdq6yUqiGY9h8OWlBqQFe2qsJhAan3LC9nSI/s2048/Singapore-Punggol-park-connector-along-waterway-2.png
https://i1.wp.com/www.liberallandscape.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Singapore-Punggol-park-connector-along-waterway-2.jpg?ssl=1
https://www.liberallandscape.org/2019/02/17/the-park-connectors-of-punggol-and-sengkang-singapore/


The van was spotted driving along the PCN at Punggol Settlement and heading towards Pasir Ris at about 9.12am, said Facebook page Roads.sg.

The page also shared photos which showed the dark grey van taking up nearly the entire width of the path as passers-by gawked at it.

"There were many kids on bikes and family with baby on strollers [sic]," said Roads.sg. "A lady was even scolding the driver for driving there."

Netizens, too, did not take too kindly to the driver's presence on the path and called for action to be taken against them.


Netizens, too, did not take too kindly to the driver's presence on the path and called for action to be taken against them.
PHOTO: Netizens, too, did not take too kindly to the driver's presence on the path and called for action to be taken against them.
PHOTO: Screengrab/ Facebook
Picture posted by Kimberly Anne Lim, kimberlylim@asiaone.com, AsiaOne on 12 January 2021 at 4:25 pm
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-NJ3LPTLpOo0Yzk5ub6cxUXq1NLejs5GbHV7f7YUNGfZDf80tqZkLuVni6uSZwX5rYAhdPfP3ZtI_j7cewoNyNMFEmHiMzNWskcNUFnr0drNahUZTmQ_Cc_YqJ5WibLf5vDLKPq-J27U/s916/pcn_van_1.jpg
https://www.asiaone.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/pcn_van.jpg
https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/van-drives-pcn-punggol-draws-stares-and-scoldings-pedestrians


However, some also pointed out that the car could very well have permission to drive on the PCN.


However, some also pointed out that the car could very well have permission to drive on the PCN.
PHOTO: However, some also pointed out that the car could very well have permission to drive on the PCN.
PHOTO: Screengrab/ Facebook
Picture posted by Kimberly Anne Lim, kimberlylim@asiaone.com, AsiaOne on 12 January 2021 at 4:25 pm
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXFHxEzZTOwEo0n1r912z_qxi2mo71RvYt4lD1Bp8ftRBgjc-8hSIdoiNEyuUkhi8FP9wpjaxVzVWBC4FnVPjSASo6wkdQVjf1VhyByt60suKCV3ksO650pMHeL_P4F0pzdrhYh-k-xi4/s848/pcn_van2_1.jpg
https://www.asiaone.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/pcn_van2.jpg
https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/van-drives-pcn-punggol-draws-stares-and-scoldings-pedestrians


According to the National Parks Board's (NParks) terms and conditions for the use of its premises, vehicles are strictly prohibited from entering parks unless prior approval has been obtained.

Drivers are also required to adhere to safety guidelines, including observing a speed limit of 15km/h, keeping to the designated tracks, turning on their hazard lights or an amber rotating lamp (if they have one) and employing at least two marshals to guide the vehicle and keep park visitors away from it.


Punggol Park Connector Network (PCN), A respite from the city
PHOTO: Punggol Park Connector Network (PCN), A respite from the city
The start of the Punggol Park Connector Network (PCN) at Lorong Bangkok Kampung Village on the right, and Gerald Drive on the left.
Picture posted by shincon.sg
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0KLS8Q02Rlmfs0vhH-XO34NxsVyR9BE2Zio_cO52hjTo8Yuys95RxfrGts7hKSG05Nt46NRomnofGu6vSvVW3Cc7jOMEGB2ImQz5e2x6TATA9Ju-DdnHyD8h-SWwhXGt9NOS0HRiJIc/s1024/pung%252B3.JPG
https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5668066ba976afbcece6779b/1449823275496-V3RDP6E41IZWYPHM7C11/ke17ZwdGBToddI8pDm48kB704gvgZOiY4rkIfTPoXbIUqsxRUqqbr1mOJYKfIPR7LoDQ9mXPOjoJoqy81S2I8N_N4V1vUb5AoIIIbLZhVYxCRW4BPu10St3TBAUQYVKc_mU0KCmc2bwxorNrSaO7HZR2HxbHZ1quoIueecvhgJGuJtcGxkWNyJ575njUfh7i/pung+3.JPG?format=1500w
https://www.shincon.sg/punggolpark


The Coast-to-Coast Trail along Sungei Punggol, Sengkang. Here the trail follows a pre-existing park connector that hugs the edge of a river that’s been turned into a reservoir.
Mind the safety when using shared path - be an angelPHOTO: Mind the safety when using shared path - be an angel
Drivers are also required to adhere to safety guidelines, including observing a speed limit of 15km/h, keeping to the designated tracks, turning on their hazard lights or an amber rotating lamp (if they have one) and employing at least two marshals to guide the vehicle and keep park visitors away from it.
Picture posted by imagekind.com
By Kimberly Anne Lim, kimberlylim@asiaone.com, AsiaOne, 12 January 2021 at 4:25 pm
 
 
Reference
[1] Kimberly Anne Lim, kimberlylim@asiaone.com, AsiaOne, Van drives on PCN in Punggol, draws stares and scoldings from pedestrians, posted on 12 January 2021 at 4:25 pm, https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/van-drives-pcn-punggol-draws-stares-and-scoldings-pedestrians

[2] Christopher Winters, Liberal Landscape, The “park connectors” of Punggol and Sengkang, Singapore, posted on 17 February 2019, https://www.liberallandscape.org/2019/02/17/the-park-connectors-of-punggol-and-sengkang-singapore/

[3] Christopher Winters, Liberal Landscape, Singapore’s Coast-to-Coast Trail, posted on 04 December 2019, https://www.liberallandscape.org/2019/12/04/singapores-coast-to-coast-trail/


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