Why we need the North Coast Pair Road

North Coast Pair Road (Eastern Section)

By Timothy Tye

The North Coast Pair Road (NCPR) is a road planned within the Penang Transport Master Plan. It comprises two sections. The western section is from Teluk Bahang in the west with Jalan Lembah Permai in the east. The eastern section is from Jalan Lembah Permai to Jalan Tanjong Tokong, comprising an elevated dual two-lane road over Jalan Lembah Permai, Jalan Tanjung Bungah and Jalan Tanjong Tokong, with exit ramps between Jalan Cheah Seng Kim and Jalan Sungai Kelian junctions along Jalan Tanjung Bungah.

There has been some opposition to this road, purportedly out of environmental concerns. While this may appear noble, the opposition disregards the need for an alternative route on the northern coast. Presently the coast west of Jalan Lembah Permai is served by just one road, Federal Route 6, comprising Jalan Tanjung Bungah, Jalan Batu Ferringhi and Jalan Teluk Bahang.

The North Coast, a narrow strip of flat land between the hills and the sea, is experiencing rapid development, as is elsewhere on Penang Island. However, it is still being served by the same road, Federal Route 6, that was built during the British colonial administration. That winding hill road is prone to landslides and falling trees. Each time Route 6 becomes impassable, the entire north coast west of Jalan Lembah Permai becomes cut off, with the only option being to use Jalan Teluk Bahang going south to Balik Pulau. This is a huge inconvenience, not to mention hazardous, in times of emergency.

Take a look at a feedback from the public on our WhatsApp Group on 27 Oct, 2018:


(They do not understand that when it rained heavily in November last year, there was a landslide and tree falling in the Batu Ferringhi area. It so happens that there was a maternity emergency at 5:00am in the morning. Unfortunately, the ambulance could not reach the patient, due to the landslide. I urge the state government to proceed with the project to build the road from Tanjung Bungah to Batu Ferringhi immediately.)

It cannot be overlooked that part of the opposition to the North Coast Pair Road stems from NIMBY, particularly from folks over which the elevated section of the road will pass through such as the Hillside, Tanjung Bungah and Tanjong Tokong neighbourhoods. Residents of Tanjung Bungah should however be mindful that the North Coast Pair Road will reduce the traffic on the roads in their neighbourhood rather than adding to it. As Batu Ferringhi continues to develop, there will be more traffic heading that way, and the traffic will pass through Tanjung Bungah. The elevated North Coast Pair Road takes the traffic away from the ground level roads of Tanjung Bungah. Otherwise, they will have to suffer more congestions in the future. When congestion builts up, the result is more emission of exhaust fumes into the neighbourhood.

The residents of Batu Ferringhi and Tanjung Bungah should be mindful to the necessity of building the North Coast Pair Road. For those in Batu Ferringhi, the road serves as a vital alternative to the winding coastal road. For those in Tanjung Bungah, the road is a vital relief from future congestion and exhaust fumes for their on-the-ground neighbourhood roads.