Residents of Russey Keo district delivered a petition to Phnom Penh City Hall yesterday demanding a public forum be held to discuss plans to transform a railway line in Kilometre 6 commune into a road.

Community representative Meas Sreymom said trackside residents have been kept in the dark about the development, despite requesting information since the end of May.

She added that municipal authorities can expect large protests if a public forum is not forthcoming. The community had also made known its fears that their homes would be affected by a proposed airport expressway that would have run above the tracks.

Plans for the expressway were nixed by the prime minister, who announced plans for the new road almost immediately. Residents’ renewed calls for a forum were yesterday backed by Sia Phearum, director of NGO Housing Rights Task Force.

City Hall spokesman Meas Pheakdey sought to calm fears, insisting there are still many phases of analysis and consultation to be conducted before construction can begin.