*****************************************************
The Transport Department (TD) today (October 21) said that in view of the closure of a number of major trunk roads on Hong Kong Island due to protests, the TD and the Police would continue to carry out a series of temporary traffic control measures to relieve congestion in the affected areas, especially on Gloucester Road westbound in Wan Chai. As routes and frequencies of public transport services affected by the road situation are unstable, the TD called on members of the public to continue to start their journeys early and allow more time for travelling.
As affected by the illegal occupation of major trunk roads such as Harcourt Road, serious traffic congestion on Gloucester Road westbound heading for Central and traffic queues in the Aberdeen Tunnel and at the Island Eastern Corridor (IEC) were seen during peak hours this morning. The Police will continue to implement temporary traffic control measures at the IEC and the Hong Kong Island exit of the Cross Harbour Tunnel to divert traffic flow on Gloucester Road westbound. Appropriate traffic aids have been erected to guide motorists. Motorists should pay attention to the arrangements and follow the instructions of the Police on-site.
Meanwhile, special traffic and transport arrangements will be implemented for the horse racing meeting in Happy Valley tomorrow night. It is anticipated that traffic will be very busy in the vicinity and the traffic load will be increased on Hong Kong Island during the evening peak hours. The TD urged members of the public to use public transport services and avoid driving to Hong Kong Island as far as possible.
In Kowloon, a number of road sections in Mong Kok, including Nathan Road southbound between Mong Kok Road and Dundas Street, Nathan Road northbound between Waterloo Road and Argyle Street, Argyle Street westbound 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 85 bus routes which are travelling via Mong Kok.
Regarding public transport services, a total of 224 bus routes are still affected today with eight bus routes suspended and 216 bus routes diverted. A total of 23 green minibus routes travelling via Harcourt Road, Nathan Road and Argyle Street are still diverted or suspended or with service adjusted. Tram services between Percival Street and Victoria Park remain suspended. The MTR Corporation Limited continues to increase services and deploy more manpower resources for all urban lines to cope with passenger demand.
The TD's Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre will continue to monitor the road traffic situation and public transport services. For details of road closure, traffic diversion, suspension and route diversion of green minibus services, please refer to the TD's website (www.td.gov.hk). Regarding temporary traffic arrangements for bus routes, please refer to the following bus companies' websites for details:
For routes of Citybus and New World First Bus: www.nwstbus.com.hk/en/uploadedFiles/OC2014/TAA.htm
For routes of Kowloon Motor Bus: www.kmb.hk/en
As there will be updates on bus services from time to time due to traffic changes, members of the public are advised to pay attention to the latest service arrangements announced by bus companies before starting their journeys.
Ends/Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Issued at HKT 18:09
NNNN
