**********************************************************
Following is a question by the Hon Daniel Lam and a written reply by the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr York Chow (in the absence of the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works), at the Legislative Council meeting today (May 30) :
Question:
I have learnt that Discovery Bay is a place in which only specified vehicles (excluding taxis and private cars) are allowed to travel. The Commissioner for Transport has the power to issue permits to such vehicles to enter and leave the Discovery Bay Tunnel. Given the rising trend in the number of traffic accidents in Discovery Bay in recent years, will the Government inform this Council of the criteria adopted by the Transport Department for issuing the above permits, and whether it has set any limit on the number of such permits; if so, of the reasons for that?
Reply:
Madam President,
Previously, Discovery Bay was accessible by water-borne transport only. Since the opening of the Discovery Bay Tunnel in 2000, direct road access to Discovery Bay is possible via the Tunnel, which is privately owned and managed by the Discovery Bay Road Tunnel Company Limited (the Company).
Water-borne transport forms the backbone of the traffic and transport network in Discovery Bay, with land transport as a supplement. Instead of issuing permits, the Government restricts the use of the Tunnel by specifying in the Discovery Bay Tunnel Link Ordinance (Cap. 520) the classes or description of vehicles permitted to use the Tunnel. These permitted vehicles are listed in G.N. 3264 of 2000. They include emergency vehicles; public buses engaged in the provision of services for residents and students and the carriage of persons with disabilities; and goods vehicles engaged in the delivery of goods and services, and maintenance, repair or construction works. According to the Company, on average about 500 vehicles use the Tunnel daily.
Ends/Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Issued at HKT 12:10
NNNN
