Bukit Batok residents can't drive out of carpark due to jam caused by parents of primary school kids

Submitted by Stomper Michael

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It is not just the pupils who need to be educated.

Bukit Batok residents are frustrated by the traffic congestion in their carpark caused by the parents of Princess Elizabeth Primary School pupils driving to drop off and pick up their kids almost every day.

The residents have been suffering for years, said Stomper Michael, who shared photos of the twice-daily occurrence.

"Every morning from 6.30am till 7.30am and afternoon from 12.30pm to 1.30pm, the Bukit Batok Street 11 carpark is congested, preventing the residents from coming out of their lots. I spent 10 minutes trying to exit my carpark due to this congestion.

"Neighbours complain they cannot exit the lots, causing them to be late for work or school."

The photos show vehicles parked illegally along the double yellow lines in the narrow open air carpark next to the school.

The Stomper also shared a dash cam video showing how difficult it was for him to drive out of the carpark due to obstruction by a seemingly endless stream of vehicles.

"I have contacted the Land Transport Authority (LTA), HDB and even Princess Elizabeth. They have tried to deploy enforcement, but each time when they arrive later, the crowd seems to be gone," said the Stomper.

He shared an e-mail from November last year written by the school's principal, who said: "The daily morning congestion in and around the drop-off point at Block 160 has been an issue which the school, the HDB town council and the MP have together been grappling with over the years and have yet to be resolved. This is due to the one entry/exit point of the carpark.

"We have been informing, educating and reminding our parents on the matter regularly. We will continue to do so."

In another e-mail, the principal said: "The school has neither the authority nor the resources beyond the school premises. But as shared, we will continue to engage the parents of our students regularly."

In response to a Stomp query, the school and HDB released a joint statement: "Princess Elizabeth Primary School (PEPS) and HDB are aware of the congestion at Carpark U7 Bukit Batok Street 11 during school arrival (between 7.00 am and 7.30 am) and school dismissal (between 1.15 pm and 1.45 pm).

"The school has been communicating with parents to remind them on the responsible use of the public carpark and will continue to do so, including highlighting to parents on the penalties for breaching parking regulations.

"Since receiving the feedback, HDB has stepped up enforcement efforts. HDB will also install signages at Carpark U7 to remind motorists not to park or wait along the driveway. PEPS and the respective agencies are committed to work closely together to minimise inconveniences to the residents at Bukit Batok West."