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The following is issued on behalf of the Transport Advisory Committee:
The Transport Advisory Committee (TAC) today (May 12) welcomed the Government's plan to take forward the 12 recommendations in the Report on Study of Road Traffic Congestion in Hong Kong (Congestion Study Report) in phases to tackle road traffic congestion.
The TAC Chairman, Mr Larry Kwok, said, "The TAC is pleased to note the Government's plan. There is an urgent need to tackle the worsening road traffic congestion. Allowing the vehicle fleet to continue to grow at the present alarming rate will leave our city with one million vehicles running on the road in 10 years' time.
"Hong Kong cannot afford to sit still and let road traffic congestion erode the sustainability and competitiveness of our city. The TAC would like to urge the Government to implement as soon as practicable the recommendations, especially the short-term ones and ones which require longer planning and implementation time like the congestion charging scheme," Mr Kwok added.
The TAC notes that the Government will step up education and publicity efforts to fully engage and work closely with relevant stakeholders and the public when taking forward the proposed congestion relief measures.
Mr Kwok said, "Some of the measures may entail inconvenience to road users and members of public. It is therefore important for the Government to work closely with the community.
"The TAC believes that the benefits of a more efficient road network outweigh these inconveniences and we appeal to all members of the community to work together with the Government in alleviating road traffic congestion."
On the Government's invitation, the TAC examined and identified various factors contributing to road traffic congestion at the territorial level and suggested 12 short, medium and long-term additional measures to alleviate the problem for consideration by the Government. The TAC submitted the Congestion Study Report to the Government in December 2014. To read the report, please visit www.thb.gov.hk/eng/boards/transport/land/Full_Eng_C_cover.pdf.
Ends/Tuesday, May 12, 2015
Issued at HKT 15:25
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