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Following is a question by the Hon Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Professor Anthony Cheung Bing-leung, in the Legislative Council today (October 23):
Question:
It is learnt that traffic accidents of vehicles crashing into the water barriers at the roadside have occurred time and again during the implementation of the road widening works on Fanling Highway. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the number of traffic accidents on Fanling Highway and the casualties caused since the relevant works commenced; and
(b) whether it has reviewed the temporary road facilities (such as the locations where the water barriers were placed) after the occurrence of each traffic accident on Fanling Highway, with a view to reducing its chance of recurrence; if it has not, of the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
Tolo Highway and Fanling Highway form a major trunk road serving New Territories North. In recent years, the peak-hour traffic flow at some road sections along the two highways has approached their design capacities. Hence, we will carry out improvement works by implementing the relevant road widening projects in phases, with a view to mitigating the current congestion and catering for the anticipated increase in traffic flow in future.
The widening of Tolo Highway and Fanling Highway will be carried out in two stages. Stage 1 involves the widening of Tolo Highway between Island House Interchange and Tai Hang. The works commenced in August 2009, and have been progressing smoothly in general and are scheduled for completion in early 2014. Stage 2 involves the widening of Fanling Highway between Tai Hang and Wo Hop Shek Interchange. Since the contract of Stage 2 works commenced not long ago in July 2013, the site works have not been formally started, and the construction works are anticipated to take 64 months. Upon completion of the widening works, the two highways will be capable of meeting the traffic demand of nearby development in the foreseeable future.
The works mentioned by the Hon Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen should be referring to Stage 1 works. The scope of works mainly includes the widening of the road section concerned from a dual 3-lane carriageway to a dual 4-lane carriageway, with the addition of hard shoulders for emergency use by vehicles.
Our reply to the two parts of the Hon Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen's question is as follows:
(a) Before commencement of every road project, the Government will ensure that temporary road facilities (including the location of water-filled barriers) at the works site and along the affected road sections comply with the "Code of Practice for the Lighting, Signing and Guarding of Road Works" (CoP) formulated by the Highways Department according to the Road Traffic (Traffic Control) Regulations (Cap 374G). Personnel responsible for the road works must provide and install lanterns, traffic signs and guarding equipment (including water-filled barriers) in accordance with the above CoP.
Since the commencement of Stage 1 works in August 2009, according to the records (as at September 2013) of the Transport Department, the annual traffic accident figures for the road section concerned during the works are more or less the same as those before the works. The relevant figures are tabulated below.
Year No. of traffic accidents Casualties*
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Before works
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2004 87 161 (83%)
2005 114 322 (92%)
2006 115 174 (89%)
2007 120 208 (91%)
2008 100 153 (88%)
2009 57 84 (95%)
(From January to
works commencement
in August)
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After works
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2009 42 73 (92%)
(From works
commencement
in August to
December)
2010 101 172 (92%)
2011 110 186 (92%)
2012 112 187 (91%)
2013^ 94 145 (83%)
(Up till
September)
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* Figures in brackets indicate the percentage of
minor injuries.
^ Provisional figures.
(b) Subsequent to every traffic accident at or near the road section under the subject works, resident site supervisory staff of the Highways Department and the contractor concerned would examine the temporary traffic arrangements. Furthermore, reviews are conducted on such matters as the layout of the road section where traffic accidents have occurred and various temporary road facilities, and reported to the standing Traffic Management and Liaison Group (with members including representatives from the Highways Department, Traffic Wing of the Hong Kong Police Force and the Transport Department) established for the works. The Highways Department and the Transport Department will continue to keep watch over the traffic situation of the road section concerned, and will make improvement measures if necessary, with a view to minimising the recurrence of traffic accidents.
Ends/Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Issued at HKT 12:01
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