Skybridges to Connect Flats without Lifts on Their Floor
Ministry of National DevelopmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns a suggestion by Mr Gan Thiam Poh for HDB to consider skybridges for flats without direct lift access where standard upgrading remains non-feasible. Minister Lawrence Wong noted that while the Lift Upgrading Programme has addressed most of the 5,300 eligible blocks, about 150 blocks still face technical or cost constraints. He explained that skybridges require careful study because they involve extensive structural works and are likely to be very expensive. Meanwhile, HDB continues to seek cost-effective solutions and provides case-by-case assistance for residents with urgent medical or disability needs. HDB will look into the specific circumstances of each case to determine how best to render help to residents requiring direct lift access.
Transcript
55 Mr Gan Thiam Poh asked the Minister for National Development whether HDB will consider alternatives such as skybridges to connect flats without lifts on their floor to the next available lift if lifts on every floor remain non-feasible for the time being.
Mr Lawrence Wong: The Lift Upgrading Programme (LUP) was launched in 2001 to provide direct lift access to flats and enhance convenience for residents, especially the elderly and the less mobile. At the start of the programme, there were more than 5,300 HDB blocks without 100% lift access.
Over the years, HDB has adopted innovative technical solutions, such as lifts that do not have a machine room at the top of the shafts, and small capacity lifts, to help such blocks to have direct lift access. Through these efforts, the vast majority of the 5,300 blocks are now able to benefit from LUP. There now remain about 150 blocks where it is still not possible to implement LUP due to high cost, or existing technical or site constraints.
With regard to the suggestion to create sky bridges to connect flats without direct lift access to the nearest lift, we will need to study this carefully. Such sky bridges will require extensive structural works, which is likely to be very expensive.
Meanwhile, we continue to look for cost effective technical solutions for flats without direct lift access. Residents who are in urgent need of direct lift access due to medical conditions or disability may approach HDB for assistance. HDB will look into the specific circumstances of each case, and see how best to render help.