‘Business wilting due to lack of parking space’

TRADERS at Canning Garden wet market in Ipoh are unhappy with the lack of parking bays in the surrounding area for their customers.

Furthermore, many of the bays are taken up by folk heading to nearby eateries.

They say many customers are also frustrated by summonses they receive when they have no choice but to park illegally.

Frozen-meat seller Ding Hing Chong, 72, said the number of parking bays within the wet market premises and in the surrounding area were limited.

“They are occupied most of the time, and it is a challenge to find an empty spot.

ALSO READ : Ipoh mothers welcome more breastfeeding facilities

“We traders also used to find it hard to get parking bays even though we arrived early.

Loo choosing produce for his customers to pick up from the market entrance.

“Most of us have decided to park in the market’s courtyard area to free up parking bays on the premises for our customers,” he said, adding that there were 25 bays at the market’s carpark.

“Our customers, however, have to contend with patrons of nearby eateries who also park at the market.

“This has forced our customers to park by the side of the road outside the market, where there are no designated parking bays,” said Ding.

He also said the frequent enforcement with summonses being issued was scaring away market-goers.

“Enforcement happens even on weekends and public holidays,” he said when met at the market.

Traders have suggested this field next to Jalan Abdullah Liew be turned into a carpark.

Ding, who has been operating at the market for nearly 20 years, said business had dropped by about 50% since the enforcement action of issuing summonses over the last few years.

“It wasn’t like this before,” he said, adding that there were about 40 shops at the market.

Ding said that if enforcement was to be carried out, there should be yellow lines painted on the road or a “no parking” sign erected along the streets near the market.

“If there are no yellow lines, motorists will assume they can park by the side of the road.

A check at Lorong Cecil Rae near Canning Garden wet market found all available parking bays occupied, while some spaces were marked ‘petak khas’ (special bay).

“I hope the authorities will hold a dialogue with us.

“We also spoke to Canning assemblyman Jenny Choy some time ago but the issue still remains.

“I also don’t see the Ipoh city councillors coming to talk to us.”

Aside from parking bays on the market premises, a check of the surrounding area found that 49 bays were available on Lorong Cecil Rae while Jalan Jaycee Park had 19 bays.

All of these bays were occupied while a couple of spots were marked petak khas (special parking bay).

Vehicles could also be found parked along Lebuh Cecil Rae and Persiaran Cecil Rae near the market, and some had summonses on their windscreens.

Sandrea: Traders and community are welcome to give suggestions to resolve the issue.Vehicles could be found parked along Jalan Abdullah Liew too, about 35m from the wet market.

Noodle seller Yuki Ng, 55, said her family had received three summonses for parking on Persiaran Cecil Rae.

“I got a summons about two years ago for illegal parking but I had no choice then as I could not find a proper parking bay.

“My two sons also got a ticket each when they parked along the road near the market,” she said, adding that the fine was RM150.

“I don’t earn much so the summonses proved costly.

“My shop doesn’t get many customers, only a few regulars and friends,” said Yuki.

“Most people parking in this area are heading to popular eateries near the market,” she said.

Vegetable seller Loo Yew Wah, 58, said his business had dropped by about 20% to 30% as most of his regulars were not able to find parking space in the area.

“In a bid to retain some of my regular customers, I told them they could drive right up to the market for a quick pick-up of their purchases.

Ding says it is a challenge for customers to find an empty parking spot at the market.“If I don’t do this, my business will suffer further,” he said, adding that he had been running his shop at the market for about 20 years.

“Business at the market usually ends at around noon, with the peak period between 8am and 9am,” said Loo.

He added that they hoped for understanding from the authorities.

Khoo Kooi Lean, 64, who also sells vegetables at the market, said she too had received complaints from customers about enforcement being carried out during peak hours.

“My customers are only here for a short while to buy a small amount of groceries but they will end up paying more than RM100 because of traffic summonses.

“I hope the enforcement authorities will give our customers some leeway.

“Also, I don’t think the vehicles parked outside the market (along Persiaran Cecil Rae) are causing any inconvenience, such as blocking traffic,” she added.

Many parking bays in the area are taken up by diners heading to nearby eateries.

Khoo said some Ipoh City Council officers once came to the market and asked traders why most of the shops were not open for business.

“We explained that strict enforcement on parking has not made it conducive for us to do business.

“We will enjoy more business if there are more parking lots for our customers,” she said.

Choy: I will discuss with the city council to see how we can create more parking bays.Khoo said the city council should consider creating parking bays along Persiaran Cecil Rae.

“There is also a field located near Jalan Abdullah Liew that should be turned into a carpark for customers.

“I don’t think anyone uses the field for exercise anymore.

“It is left idle, from what I have seen,” she added.

When contacted by StarMetro, Choy said she had spoken to the Ipoh district police to understand the situation.

“The police have received many complaints about cars parked haphazardly on the roadside and causing inconvenience, so they took action.

Khoo says customers have complained about getting parking summonses.“I will discuss with Ipoh City Council to see how we can create more parking bays.

“I am also planning to hold a dialogue with the traders, police and city council,” she added.

Perak housing and local government committee chairman Sandrea Ng, when contacted, said city council would consider the traders’ suggestion to create more parking bays in the area.

“The local government will look for suitable areas.

“The traders and community are welcome to give suggestions to city councillors or the assemblyman’s office,” she said.

In the meantime, Sandrea reminded people not to park in spots that were not suitable as it could pose a safety risk or an inconvenience to others.

“Sometimes, cars are parked illegally near road junctions and quickly become a public nuisance.

“When the authorities receive such reports, they have no choice but to take action to prevent unwanted incidents and also as a way to create awareness of the problem,” she added.