A Phnom Penh Department of Environment team is working on a plan to create a green avenue with sidewalks lined by trees.

The experimental road is meant to serve as an example for future city roads where sellers and pedestrians will not be allowed to use plastic.

Ministry of Environment secretary of state Eang Sophalleth said on August 7 that local authorities have to put more effort into managing and enhancing the environmental quality in Phnom Penh.

Municipal Department of Environment director Keat Raingsey told The Post on Tuesday that after this advice, the team asked Phnom Penh municipal governor Khuong Sreng to determine a specific road as an example.

“We requested the Phnom Penh municipal governor to decide the sample road. I believe that all leaders want a first step,” said Raingsey.

The road most similar to the plan is Norodom Boulevard which has trees on both sides. However, plastic use is not banned like in the new road, he said.

“We have learnt that it’s advantageous to have a paved road with shady trees and easy access. We already have it in the form of Norodom Boulevard, and what we want to do now is create others that won’t allow plastic bags,” Raingsey said.

Ministry of Rural Development adviser Kong Sovann told The Post that building this type of road is a good idea because it has the benefit of health and aesthetics.

Sovann wants the technical team to include sections for cyclists and lanes for vulnerable vehicles to link traffic and the environment. “We should include something more to make it better,” he said.

Sovann views Russian Federation Road – an international road frequented by national and international tourists – as a priority route to establish the environmentally-friendly road.

Areas around the new airport should also be considered, he said.