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To facilitate the pyrotechnics display to be held in Tuen Mun on September 19 (Saturday), crowd control measures and special traffic arrangements will be implemented in Tuen Mun.
A press conference was jointly held by the Tuen Mun District Office, Police, Transport Department and Marine Department today (September 17) to give details of the arrangements.
To be held on the sea off the Tuen Mun Promenade, the display will start at 8pm on September 19 and last for 20 minutes. A large-scale beach concert will also be held at Golden Beach and Cafeteria New Beach from 7.30pm to 10pm on the event day.
The display can be viewed from a number of locations including Butterfly Beach, Hong Kong Gold Coast Dolphin Square, Cafeteria Old Beach, Kadoorie Beach, Castle Peak Beach, Golden Beach, Cafeteria New Beach and Tuen Mun Promenade.
In view of space constraints and public safety concerns, people who wish to view the pyrotechnics display at the Tuen Mun Promenade, Golden Beach and Cafeteria New Beach require tickets for admission. All tickets were distributed to the public two weeks ago.
District Officer (Tuen Mun), Mr Eddie Cheung, said, "A joint command centre will be activated on the event day where government departments concerned, together with public transport companies and the pyrotechnics display contractor, will monitor and co-ordinate the handling of emergency situations."
Mr Cheung said while implementing the special traffic arrangements and crowd control measures, the relevant authorities would try their best to allow more people to join the celebration activities. He explained that the arrangements were made after taking into account public safety concerns and space constraints while minimising the inconvenience caused to residents because of the road closures. He appealed for the public's understanding and urged people to remain patient and follow the instructions of the authorities on the day.
Also speaking at the press conference, Police District Commander of Tuen Mun, Mr Choy Kin-cheung, said that police attached great importance to the pyrotechnics display and had had discussions with the organiser, relevant government departments and community members during the planning stage in order to devise appropriate crowd control measures and traffic arrangements. These included the establishment of designated viewing areas which were suitable for the public to enjoy the pyrotechnics display; mapping out the number of spectators in designated viewing areas based on the principle of public safety; minimising the areas and durations affected by traffic control to reduce inconvenience to residents within the traffic control areas; and working out the crowd dispersal plan in phases and areas based on the district's landscape and surroundings.
Mr Choy said the major police duties during this operation were to ensure public safety and maintain law and order. As most spectators would return to the Tuen Mun town centre area after the display, police would strengthen the manpower there to ensure public order and facilitate smooth flow of traffic.
"Police will suitably adjust traffic signals in co-ordination with the Transport Department or deploy sufficient officers to direct traffic. Motorists and the public should follow traffic regulations and the instructions of police officers on site to avoid accidents and to ensure the smooth flow of traffic," he said.
To facilitate the crowd control measures, special traffic and transport arrangements will be implemented from 6pm. Castle Peak Road near Sam Shing and Gold Coast area, and roads in the vicinity of Tuen Mun Ferry Pier and Butterfly Bay will be temporarily closed from 6pm onwards. Except approved bus and green minibus services, and event-related vehicles on operational duties, all vehicles will be prohibited from entering the areas. Unless really necessary, motorists are advised to avoid driving to the affected areas. Residents in the affected areas are also advised to return home early to avoid the crowd.
The Assistant Commissioner for Transport/New Territories, Miss Cindy Law, said, "Spectators heading for the viewing areas are advised to take public transport services. For the viewing areas of Butterfly Bay, Tuen Mun Ferry Pier, Castle Peak Beach and Kadoorie Beach, spectators are advised to use the light rail services. For the viewing areas of Gold Coast and Cafeteria New/ Old Beach, spectators from Tuen Mun can take MTR bus route K51 at West Rail Tuen Mun Station while those from urban areas can use KMB route 61M at the bus stop on Castle Peak Road opposite Nan Fung Centre in Tsuen Wan."
When roads in the vicinity of the viewing areas have been closed, members of the public are required to walk for a distance after alighting at the light rail stations or bus stops to reach the viewing areas or to return home. Likewise, spectators leaving the viewing areas are also required to walk to boarding points of public transport services outside the closed road areas after the pyrotechnics display.
"Spectators leaving the viewing areas are advised to use the light rail services or the four special bus routes to Tsuen Wan, Tuen Mun Station and Siu Hong Station provided near the viewing areas," Miss Law said.
As it takes time for crowd dispersal, spectators are advised to be patient and follow the instructions of the Police and staff on site. The Transport Department also appealed to the public for their understanding, co-operation and tolerance in respect of the inconvenience that might be caused by the road closures, traffic diversions and management measures in the areas.
Miss Law added, "The Transport Department's Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre (ETCC) will closely monitor the traffic and transport situations in co-operation with the Police, public transport operators and other relevant parties. The ETCC will implement contingency plans and release updated information to the public when necessary."
In order to set up designated pyrotechnics viewing areas, Golden Beach, Cafeteria New Beach, Cafeteria Old Beach, Butterfly Beach and part of the Tuen Mun Promenade, which are managed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, will be temporarily closed from 4pm on September 19. Kadoorie Beach and Castle Peak Beach will be temporarily closed from 6pm on that day. Barbecue sites at Butterfly Beach Park, Cafeteria Old Beach, Kadoorie Beach and Castle Peak Beach will be temporarily closed from 4pm on that day for the preparation of the display.
Notices will be posted up at the venues to inform the public of the arrangements. The arrangements may be adjusted depending on the actual situation on that day. Members of the public are advised to pay attention to the instructions given by staff on site.
For sea traffic arrangements, please visit the Marine Department's website (www.mardep.gov.hk/en/notices/pdf/mdn09113.pdf) for details.
Ends/Thursday, September 17, 2009
Issued at HKT 18:01
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