Three Lamps could become pedestrian

The Civil and Municipal Affairs Bureau wants to open a 3.5-metre-wide traffic lane at the Three Lamps street market district, but just for emergency vehicles

The Three Lamps street market district could soon be renovated and turned into a pedestrian area, the president of the Civil and Municipal Affairs Bureau (IACM), Raymond Tam Vai Man, announced on Sunday.
The five streets located between the Three Lamps roundabout and the Red Market is a popular low-budget shopping area for locals. But the city hall is worried about public safety in the district.
Speaking to journalists, Tam said many vendors occupy the pavements and even the entrances to residential buildings during the daytime, which created problems for residents in the area.
A preliminary project drafted by IACM calls for the opening of a 3.5-metre-wide traffic lane, but just for emergency vehicles. The bureau is keen on closing the streets to both cars and scooters during the day, with private vehicles only allowed at night.
The plan was prepared after IACM gathered about 1,300 opinions from residents, shop owners and vendors. According to Tam most of the respondents are worried over public safety and would like private vehicles to be banned from the street market.
After reviewing the issue with the Fire Services and the Transport Bureau, IACM is certain the five streets must undergo construction works. Authorities are now consulting the public on how the works should be carried out.
Another priority, Tam said on the sidelines of a New Year celebration in Coloane, must be to regulate the activity of vendors to ensure they don’t block the entrance to residential buildings or established shops.
The official said the Three Lamps revamp could be launched soon but gave no definite schedule. Macau Daily Times tried to get more information but did not get a reply from IACM.

Fire hazard

The Macau General Union of the Neighbourhood Associations is happy with the government’s decision. The organisation, known as ‘Kai Fong’, believes the measures are necessary to prevent tragedies similar to the one in Hong Kong last November.
A blaze in the popular Ladies’ Market left nine people dead and dozens injured. In addition more than 400 people had registered for government aid after the fire destroyed dozens of apartments in Kowloon’s crowded Mong Kok district.
Firefighters at the scene said the blaze broke out simultaneously among hawker stalls and was fuelled by fabrics and plastic goods stored in the market. Several residents said they ran to the roof because escape exits were blocked.
A Kai Fong representative told TDM News the activity of vendors should be better regulated. “Some vendors put their stuff up inside, others occupy an area two metres long on the street. Just take a look and you will think it’s kind of messy. The vendors should put their stuff orderly right where they should be,” Chan Peng Hong said.
But some shop owners and vendors questioned the government’s plan and claimed that some of the five streets – Rua da Emenda, Rua de Brás da Rosa, Rua do Lu Cao, Rua do Rebanho and Rua de Tomé Pires – are not even 3.5-metres-wide as it is.