SINGAPORE — More provision shops, a family doctor pairing scheme and reduced vehicle speed limits to enhance walkability are among the plans Workers’ Party (WP) candidate for MacPherson Bernard Chen has for the “rapidly ageing” single-seat ward, if elected on Friday.

While it appears that there are sufficient amenities now to cater for residents’ needs, Mr Chen, 29, said this may not be so “in another few years’ time”, as many elderly resident shopkeepers may soon retire.

He reiterated the WP’s proposal to allocate void deck space to at least one convenience store and coffee shop for every two precincts, and called for shophouse rentals along Circuit Road to be pegged at a percentage of the market rent to stabilise costs for young entrepreneurs.

“Not only will this increase the diversity of options, it’ll also encourage the revitalisation and renewal of the entire neighbourhood,” he said at the WP’s rally for Marine Parade GRC and MacPherson voters.

Pairing residents with a general practitioner near their home would also facilitate timely provision of care, especially for elderly residents in need, he explained.

And to enhance walkability around the estate for seniors, Mr Chen wants speed limits to be reduced along roads with high pedestrian traffic, such as Balam Road, Circuit Road and Pipit Road.

He added that the duration of countdown timers at traffic junctions should be adjusted to allow the elderly to cross safely. Currently, plans are already afoot to bring this facility, under the Green Man Plus scheme, to Marine Parade.