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The Transport Department (TD) today (October 19) reminded members of the public that as a number of major trunks on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon affected by protest activities are still closed, the TD and Police would carry out effective temporary traffic management measures according to traffic changes. Drivers should follow the instructions of Police and the road markings and arrangements for the temporary traffic measures. Motorists are obliged to obey the traffic laws and should not drive onto pavement or drive in reverse because of traffic congestion.
The department urged the protesters again not to place barriers on roads or dash to roads to cause traffic chaos. These illegal acts not only posed threat to the safety of the protesters themselves but also caused serious danger to motorists and other road users. Moreover, the frequencies and routings of the resumed bus services and other road-based public transport services are still affected by the traffic situation and have become unstable. During serious traffic congestion, passengers should wait until vehicles had pulled over on roadside before getting off safely.
On traffic condition, since Harcourt Road on Hong Kong Island is still occupied by the protesters, the traffic on both east bound and west bound of Lung Wo Road and Kennedy Road, etc, was busy though today is not a working day. The TD and Police have continued to carry out temporary traffic management measures to relieve traffic. In order to help ease the congestion in the vicinity of Wan Chai, in particular Gloucester Road west bound heading for Central, with effect from today during the period of 7am to 10pm, only buses are allowed to make left turn from Gloucester Road (Central bound) onto inner Gloucester Road via the temporary access near old Wan Chai Police Station. Other vehicles are not allowed to make left turn from Gloucester Road onto inner Gloucester Road via this vehicular access. Other vehicles should make use of the access on O' Brien Road to turn left to inner Gloucester Road from Gloucester Road. Also, the bus stops at Gloucester Road (Central bound) outside the old Wan Chai Police Station will be suspended. Temporary bus stops will be designated at inner Gloucester Road between O'Brien Road and Stewart Road. Appropriate traffic aids will be erected to guide motorists. Motorists should follow the instruction of the Police on site.
As for Kowloon, a number of road sections in Mong Kok, including Nathan Road south bound between Mong Kok Road and Dundas Street, Nathan Road north bound between Waterloo Road and Argyle Street, Argyle Street west bound between Nathan Road and Shanghai Street, and Shantung Street between Nathan Road and Tung Choi Street, are closed, leading to the diversion of a total of 69 bus routes which are travelling via Mong Kok.
It is anticipated that traffic would be seriously congested tomorrow which is a normal working day. Members of the public going to work or school should pay attention to the TD and bus companies' latest announcement of public transport information and are advised to plan their journey in advance, start their journey earlier and allow more time for travelling. Drivers should avoid driving to Hong Kong Island especially the affected districts and school areas as far as possible.
Regarding public transport services, a total of 147 bus routes are still affected today with six bus routes suspended and 141 bus routes diverted. A total of 23 Green minibus routes travelling via Harcourt Road, Nathan Road and Argyle Street are still diverted, suspended or with service adjusted. Tram services between Percival Street and Victoria Park remains suspended. The MTRCL continues to increase services of all urban lines.
The TD's Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre will continue to monitor the road traffic situation and transport services. For details of the major traffic and transport arrangements currently implemented, please refer to the TD website (www.td.gov.hk).
Ends/Sunday, October 19, 2014
Issued at HKT 19:35
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