BRINCHANG: The infamous Cameron Highlands traffic congestion could soon be a thing of the past.
According to the Cameron Highlands District Council (MDCH), the situation is set to improve in as little as a month’s time.
MDCH president Datuk Zainal Abidin Md Amin said a new business centre is being built for small and petty traders in Kea Farm and it will be ready soon.
He explained that the traffic snarl often begins from Kea Farm due to the many stalls located by the main road. This in turn draws travellers, who will usually opt to park at the side of the road as there is a lack of parking space.
It is understood that at times, the congestion is so bad that vehicles will be crawling under five kilometres an hour. This then makes it even faster to walk than drive.
As such, Zainal Abidin said the move is inevitable and will involve about 30 petty traders. They will be relocated to the business centre under a rental scheme with the local council.
“They would be charged about RM500 a month.
“This would be an enormous saving for them as the prevailing market rate can easily go above RM1,000 a month,” he told the New Straits Times.
Once the petty traders move, a pedestrian walkway will be constructed to prevent traders and motorists from hogging the space again.
Zainal Abidin added that the council will also increase parking spaces to cater to the rising number of tourists.