SUNGAI SIPUT: The proposal to ban heavy vehicles from the Penang Bridge has been shot down by Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu. 

Samy Vellu said the lorries were transporting important goods and were not on a joyride.

He was commenting on the proposal by the Penang government to ban lorries and buses from using the bridge during peak hours from 7am to 10am and 4pm to 7pm.

Penang Public Works Utilities and Transportation Committee chairman Datuk Koay Kar Huah had said this would solve the traffic snarl on the bridge.

Samy Vellu, however, said the bridge was a vital link for the island?s silicon-related industries.

He said this after officiating at the Perak Health Department?s Quality Day for Kuala Kangsar and Hulu Perak districts here yesterday.

Present at the function was department director Datuk Paduka Dr Ahmad Razin Ahmad Mahir.

Samy Vellu said when the third lane of the bridge was completed, it would be used solely by heavy vehicles which would be barred from the other lanes.

The extra lane is expected to be opened next September.

On another matter, Samy Vellu said the government had approved an allocation of RM485 million to build motorcycle lanes at accident-prone areas along federal roads.

On the analysis of the road safety campaign by the PWD during the Hari Raya festive season from Oct 7 to 17, the minister said motorcyclists and pillion riders accounted for more than half of the 155 road fatalities. 

There were 173 deaths during the same period last year. The number of fatal accidents dropped to 10.41 per cent this year compared with last year.