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Following is a question by the Hon David Li Kwok-po and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Ms Eva Cheng, at the Legislative Council meeting today (April 29):
Question:
As part of the Government's pedestrianisation efforts, the northern footpath along the section of Queen's Road Central between Pedder Street and Pottinger Street has been "temporarily widened since April 2003", according to the Transport Department web site. The temporary character of the works is reinforced by the materials used in constructing the footpath and its finish i.e. only concrete was used and the pavement is on different levels. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) whether it has assessed the impact of widening the section of the footpath on the vehicular traffic there; if it has, of the assessment outcome;
(b) why the Government has left the temporary works in place for six years without any attempt at improvement or beautification; and
(c) whether it will consider taking action forthwith to upgrade the footpath to a standard befitting of a major metropolitan city centre?
Reply:
President,
My replies to the three parts of the question are as follows:
(a) The Transport Department (TD) conducted a trial lane closure in November 2002 for part of the carriageway at the section of Queen's Road Central between Pedder Street and Pottinger Street. Following the trial and on TD's recommendation, part of the carriageway at the above road section was converted into a footpath in April 2003 to improve pedestrian circulation on the northern footpath of the road section in question. TD subsequently conducted a review in 2004 on the impact of the conversion on vehicular traffic along Queen's Road Central. The review confirmed that the impact of the conversion on vehicular traffic has been positive. TD accordingly recommended making the conversion a permanent scheme with streetscape enhancement measures.
(b) & (c) The Highways Department (HyD) was responsible for the implementation of the conversion of the carriageway at the section of Queen's Road Central between Pedder Street and Pottinger Street into a footpath as recommended by TD, as well as the introduction of streetscape enhancement measures. Before commencement of the works, HyD had held discussion with various utility undertakers about the latter's plans to upgrade or divert their underground installations in the affected road section. On the basis of these discussions, HyD had developed a work programme for the conversion which took into account the construction and upgrading programmes of all concerned parties. As the enhancement works have to take into account the construction and upgrading programmes of all concerned parties, they could not start immediately after the completion of the temporary conversion works. HyD therefore planned to proceed with the enhancement works immediately upon completion of the relevant construction and upgrading programmes.
The construction and upgrading programmes of the utility undertakers have been largely completed in a steady manner in the past few years. HyD decided to commence further improvement and streetscape enhancement works on the footpaths at the section of Queen's Road Central between Pedder Street and Pottinger Street in the second quarter of 2009. These works include the levelling of the northern footpath, as well as streetscape enhancement measures such as repaving of the footpath with granite pavers, installation of decorative railings, and provision of greening measures on both northern and southern footpaths. The Central and Western District Council and the local community support these improvement works. To minimise disruption to pedestrian movements and the operation of shops in the vicinity, most of the works will be carried out at night. The works are expected to be completed by mid-2011.
Ends/Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Issued at HKT 15:46
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