Lebuh Cecil (Cecil Street)

Cecil Street, Penang (1 January 2018)


Cecil Street (Malay: Lebuh Cecil; Penang Hokkien: Chit1-Tiau3 Lor33 ) is one of the nine parallel roads that formed the working class neighbourhood located south of the Prangin Canal. The working-class neighbourhood south of the canal is collectively known as the Seven Streets Precinct. From January 2016, traffic flow on Cecil Street is eastbound from Brick Kiln Road (Jalan Gurdwara) to McNair Street, and westbound from Bridge Street (Jalan C.Y. Choy) to McNair Street. This is a change from the previous two-way flow, to prevent accidents that occur from vehicles having to cut across McNair Street.

Cecil Street was named after Sir Cecil Clementi Smith, the Governor of the Straits Settlements between 1887 and 1893 (by the way Wikipedia incorrectly states that it was named after Sir Cecil Clementi, the nephew of Cecil Clementi Smith, who was Governor between 1930 and 1934, by which time, Cecil Street had long been built).

Cecil Street is noted for the variety of its urban residential architecture. At the junction with McNair Street are pre-war houses isa remarkably well-preserved state. The double-storey townhouse on the north side of the intersection has a verandah overhanging McNair Street below. Across the road from the Cecil Street Market are a number of houses in the Arts and Crafts style, also in a well-preserved condition.

Cecil Street extends towards the shore as Cecil Street Ghaut. Until the late 1980s, Cecil Street Ghaut was a minor road leading to the semi-swampy coast. Since then, land reclamation has enabled urban development of the area, which forms part of the Macallum Street Ghaut neighbourhood.

Cecil Street is known in Hokkien as Chit1 Tiau3 Lor33 meaning "7th road". It is short for Koay1 Kang1nga4 Te33-Chit1-Tiau3 Lor33 ("7th road across the canal").

Map of Lebuh Cecil, Penang

Sights along Cecil Street

Getting there

The nearest bus stop is on McNair Street served by Rapid Penang Bus 302 and 401.

Cecil Street, George Town, at junction with Bridge Street (6 February 2013)


Arts and Crafts-style shophouses on Cecil Street (5 August 2012)


Cecil Street junction with Brick Kiln Road (3 February 2013)


Cecil Street, George Town, at junction with McNair Street (2 December 2008)


Wooden balcony of house on Cecil Street overhanging McNair Street (30 July 2012)


Lebuh Cecil road sign at Brick Kiln Road junction (3 February 2013)


Lebuh Cecil road sign at junction with Bridge Street (6 February 2013)


Old Cecil Street road sign (2 December 2008)

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