Regarding the closure of barriers in 4 alleys on Thuong Dinh Street (Thanh Xuan District, Hanoi) during morning rush hour, this afternoon (November 19), the People's Committee of Thuong Dinh Ward held a meeting with representatives of Thuong Dinh Ward Police and representatives of residents of alleys 127, 155 Nguyen Trai; 126, 144 Thuong Dinh Street.

W-8 HAI_4300.jpg
Alley with barrier to block vehicles from entering during rush hour. Photo: Pham Hai

Without barriers, people in the alley cannot move around.

Mr. Nguyen Dinh Que, Secretary of the Party Cell of the 2B Mechanical Residential Area, said that most of the alleys 127, 155 Nguyen Trai; 126, 144 Thuong Dinh Street lead to Nguyen Trai Street, so every morning there are many motorbikes going from Khuong Dinh Street into the above alleys to cross Nguyen Trai Street to the Nga Tu So overpass.

"Due to the large number of vehicles entering during rush hour, the entire residential area is congested, paralyzed, and unable to move. Many times, people in the residential area have asked the Ward People's Committee to find a solution to reduce congestion. In early 2022, the residential area held a meeting and installed 3 barrier posts to prevent motorbikes from entering," said Mr. Nguyen Dinh Que.

W-ong Que.jpg
Mr. Nguyen Dinh Que, Secretary of the Party Cell of the 2B Mechanical Residential Area, shared about traffic congestion in the residential area. Photo: Dinh Hieu

According to Mr. Nguyen Dinh Que, after installing the barrier, residents were able to move around normally and no one objected to this.

"Only people who often take shortcuts into the alley object to the installation of barriers. They even break the barriers to make way," added Mr. Nguyen Dinh Que.

Mr. Vinh.jpg
Mr. Vinh, Deputy Head of the Neighborhood Group, contributed his opinion during the discussion. Photo: Dinh Hieu

Adding his opinion, Mr. Le Quang Vinh - Deputy Head of Residential Group No. 1 said that the characteristics of alleys 127, 158, 114 are only 1m - 1.1m wide, so when many motorbikes enter, it will cause traffic jams. There are days when students cannot take their motorbikes to the alley to go to school, people cannot go to work...

Mr. Nguyen Tien Khang, Secretary of the Party Cell of the 2A Mechanical Residential Area, added that the construction of the barrier had been consulted with all residents in the area at the National Great Unity Day of the residential group.

"Many families living right behind the barrier also agreed to go further to get out of the alley, but for the general traffic safety of the entire residential area, they accepted. After erecting the barrier, there was less disunity and arguments between residents in the residential area and motorcyclists causing traffic jams," said Mr. Nguyen Tien Khang.

W-5B HAI_4233.jpg
Many alleys are narrow, some only 0.8m wide. Photo: Pham Hai

Giving an example, Mr. Khang said that there have been many arguments leading to fights because motorbike riders from other places crashed into people in the alley.

A representative of Thuong Dinh Ward Police added that the situation of people riding motorbikes from Khuong Dinh Street into alleys and then going in the opposite direction to get on Nga Tu So overpass has existed since 2021. To handle this situation, Road Traffic Police Team No. 7 (Traffic Police Department of Hanoi City Police), Ward Police have assigned people to be on duty and handle the situation.

"Many people driving in the wrong direction do not comply with police orders, and in some cases even insult and crash into police officers on duty," a representative of Thuong Dinh Ward Police stated the situation.

Desire to maintain barriers during peak hours

Giving his opinion at the meeting, Mr. Nguyen Tien Khang, Secretary of the Party Cell of the 2A Mechanical Residential Area, expressed his wish to continue maintaining the barrier closure during rush hour.

"I propose that the Ward People's Committee and Ward Police allow the maintenance of barriers during rush hours or find other alternative solutions to ensure safety," said Mr. Nguyen Tien Khang.

W-IMG_6104.JPG.jpg
Mr. Tran Phan My, Vice Chairman of Thuong Dinh Ward People's Committee. Photo: Dinh Hieu

Mr. Le Quang Vinh - Deputy Head of Residential Group No. 1 said that blocking the barrier was a "last resort", many people in the residential area had wanted to lift the manhole cover to prevent vehicles from entering the alley.

"The barrier blocking is working very well, so on behalf of the people, we propose to maintain the above measure," Mr. Vinh emphasized.

Mr. Tran Phan My, Vice Chairman of the Ward People's Committee, said that according to the law, people's blocking of barriers is not correct, the local government does not allow this behavior. However, if the barriers are not closed, thousands of people in the residential area will be affected.

"In the coming time, we will work with authorities and people to find solutions to comply with the law while still ensuring safe travel for people," said Mr. Tran Phan My.

Hanoi: Residents of small alleys install barriers to block traffic during rush hour . Four alleys on Thuong Dinh Street leading to Nguyen Trai Street (Thanh Xuan District, Hanoi) have had barriers installed by residents during morning rush hour.