SHAH ALAM, Sept 7 — Persistent traffic congestion and a shortage of parking spaces at Taman Melawati commercial centre are frustrating residents and business operators, with growing development putting further pressure on the area’s road infrastructure.
Residents and traders said traffic had worsened in recent years as more commercial premises and residential developments emerged in the mature township, The Star reported.
Former Taman Melawati Residents Association chairman Azhari Abd Taharim said traffic flow could be improved by reviewing entry and exit points around the commercial area.
“Currently, motorists have to make big loops to get in and out of the commercial area.
“Cars are constantly circling inside, and this jams up the whole place,” said Azhari, who has lived in Taman Melawati since 1991.
He proposed a small roundabout at the MRR2-Jalan Bandar 12 intersection to provide another entry into Jalan Bandar.
Azhari also urged Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) to address the use of public parking spaces by mobile traders and markets, saying these activities reduced available parking and affected traffic flow.
He suggested relocating food trucks and similar businesses to designated areas.
An eatery operator along Jalan Negara, identified as Mohd Ishak, said congestion had become more persistent over the past year.
“I have been here for 15 years. This place used to be jammed during lunchtime when people came to get food or go to the banks.
“These days, traffic is constantly heavy as more businesses have come up, along with new residential developments,” he said.
He added that parking along Jalan Negara was consistently full, with some customers avoiding the area as a result.
MPAJ, meanwhile, plans to appoint a consultant to conduct a traffic flow study in the Ampang area, with the findings to be used to develop a more systematic and efficient traffic management system.
The council acknowledged that the Taman Melawati commercial area frequently faced critical parking shortages and said enforcement against the misuse of parking spaces had been stepped up.
MPAJ said the area has 1,546 parking bays, including 1,339 open bays and 72 barrier-controlled bays.
However, it said the barrier-controlled parking areas were not fully utilised because they were located farther from the places visitors wanted to access.
