Oral Answer by Ministry of National Development on installation of barriers in common spaces
Apr 5, 2016
Assoc Prof Daniel Goh Pei Siong: To ask the Minister for National Development
(a) whether there are guidelines on the installation of barriers in void decks, walkways and other common spaces in terms of accessibility for the disabled, elderly and community activities; and
(b) what is the Ministry's position on the installation of such barriers in common spaces in HDB estates.
Answer:
Town Councils manage and maintain common property in HDB estates, and may make improvements to these areas to meet the needs of residents within the town. In doing so, they have to comply with BCA’s Code on Accessibility in the Built Environment, which sets out the requirements for barrier-free accessibility (BFA) in public spaces. When considering whether to install barriers in void decks, walkways and other common property, Town Councils must also abide by the Building Control Act, which stipulates that any barrier-free access must not be obstructed, removed, altered or made unusable.
If barriers are put up such that they unduly obstruct a walkway intended as an accessible route, the Commissioner of Building Control may require the Town Council to remove them.