Some motorists are being driven round the bend by signs that forbid them to enter a road.

The 300m-long two-lane road - Jalan Nuri off Meyer Road - looks like any other public road.

So why is there a sign that says, 'No Entry. Private Road', ask the motorists, who were bemused by the 'private road' bit.

They wonder how the house owners along the 300m-long road can claim it as their own and stop motorists from parking on it.

One Katong resident, Mr David Wong, 52, wondered whether the road signs were legitimately put up.

He said: 'I was taken aback when I saw this road sign. I wonder whether it was put up by the authorities or the residents.

'If it was put up by the residents over there, it shows these people are selfish and have little concern for others.'

This businessman said the signs deter motorists from parking their cars when they go to Meyer Park, which is nearby.

Another Katong resident, Mr Michael Wee, asked: 'What gives them the right to call this road theirs? Are they even allowed to put up the signs?'

Mr Wee, 43, doesn't park there, but walks his dog there sometimes.

But these irate motorists are barking up the wrong road, so to speak.

Jalan Nuri is indeed a private road built by the house owners.

And, rather than being selfish, they have resorted to putting up the signs because of other inconsiderate motorists who block the road by parking indiscriminately.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) confirmed that Jalan Nuri is a private road.

A resident, who only wanted to be known as Mr Singh, said his family owns nine out of the 10 houses there, including a walk-up private apartment development.

He said they also own the stretch of road, which they carved out for easy access many years ago.

The New Paper understands that his family is in the textile business.

The estate surrounding Jalan Nuri covers about 2.83ha, about the size of five football fields.

Mr Singh said his family owned that chunk of land and the houses on it for more than 50 years before one house was sold to a private buyer after a family dispute.

He said that the signs were put up about five years ago because motorists parked on both sides of the road, blocking the access.

Mr Singh also claimed that outsiders have dumped rubbish in their estate.

The family have to maintain the road themselves, as it's not government-owned.

USE IT, JUST DON'T MISUSE IT

He said they have no issues with motorists who use the road or park there, so long they don't misuse it.

Mr Singh's nephew, who also declined to be named, said the signs were also meant to warn people that they will not be liable for any damage or injury suffered as a result of using the road.

One of the signs says: 'All persons entering do so at their own risk and that the owners shall not be liable for any claims for loss, damage or injury, howsoever arising'.

He added: 'This road is not a short cut to another road nor is it a hindrance to other motorists. We have never stopped anyone from using this road.

'In the evenings, even the maids from other houses walk their dogs here. We don't make a fuss about that.'

LTA said that all private roads are maintained or managed by the owners.

But if a road is found to be in a defective condition which compromises the safety of the public and road users, LTA will step in.