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Following is a question by the Hon James To and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao, at the Legislative Council meeting today (April 18) :
Question:
With the incessant increase in population and the number of tourists, pedestrians and vehicles in Hong Kong sometimes have to compete for use of the road at major tourist spots and main streets, such as Nathan Road. Pedestrians waiting to cross such streets often obstruct the pavements, and some may even be forced to walk on the carriageway. In reply to my question at the Legislative Council meeting on March 28 this year, the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works said that, the Transport Department was finalising various specific and detailed proposals on widening of pedestrian crossings, which included widening the pedestrian crossing at Nathan Road near Argyle Street in mid-2007. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the number of works the Government conducted in each of the past three years to widen the pedestrian crossings at Nathan Road, Lai Chi Kok Road, Cheung Sha Wan Road, Ma Tau Wai Road and Tokwawan Road; and
(b) whether it plans to widen other pedestrian crossings along Nathan Road with high pedestrian flow; if so, of the details of the plan?
Reply:
Madam President,
(a) We have not undertaken any works to widen the pedestrian crossings at Lai Chi Kok Road, Cheung Sha Wan Road, Ma Tau Wai Road and Tokwawan Road in the past three years. As for Nathan Road, we widened the two 6.5 metre wide pedestrian crossings near Peking Road and changed it into a 26 metre wide pedestrian crossing in 2005.
(b) In addition to the widening of the pedestrian crossing at Nathan Road near Argyle Street which is due to commence in mid-2007, Transport Department (TD) has formulated the following proposals to widen the pedestrian crossings at other sections of Nathan Road :
(i) to widen the pedestrian crossing from 9 to 12 metres at Nathan Road near Haiphong Road. The widening works are in progress for completion by the end of this year; and
(ii) to propose widening the pavement of the crossing at Nathan Road near Dundas Street and Hamilton Street. Consultation will take place shortly.
TD will continue to closely monitor traffic and pedestrian flows at the pedestrian crossings along Nathan Road, and introduce appropriate improvement measures as and when necessary.
Ends/Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Issued at HKT 12:24
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