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Works for the additional 10 pairs of vehicle kiosks at Lok Ma Chau Crossing under Phase 1 of the improvements to the crossing have been completed, and the kiosks will come into operation from 7 am on December 28 this year.

That is to say, the number of kiosks will be increased from 14 pairs to 24 pairs. Twelve pairs will cater for inbound traffic while the other 12 will be for outbound traffic.

Announcing this today (Friday), a Government spokesman said: "With the commissioning of the additional kiosks, the two-way processing capacity of the crossing will be raised from 19,000 vehicles a day to about 32,000 vehicles a day.

"The additional kiosks are expected to bring relief to the crossing as well as traffic on its approach roads."

For the testing of computer systems, staff familiarisation and fine-tuning of traffic arrangements before the commissioning, the new kiosks will on trial run between December 21 and 27.

During the trial runs, lane-by-lane testing of traffic flow at the new kiosks will be arranged. There may also be full opening of all kiosks during peak hours to test the traffic impact.

The right-most four pairs of kiosks in both directions, that is, departure kiosks Nos. D1 - D4 and arrival kiosks Nos. A1 - A4, will be designated for the combined use of private cars and goods vehicles.

The remaining eight pairs of kiosks on both carriageways, that is, departure kiosks Nos. D5 - D12 and arrival kiosks Nos. A5 - A12, will process goods vehicles only.

In the meantime, the current trial scheme for separate processing of laden and unladen goods vehicles at Lok Ma Chau Crossing will continue.

Upon commencement of the trial runs of the new kiosks on December 21, the Customs and Excise Department will allocate departure kiosks Nos. D10 - D12 for processing northbound unladen vehicles only between 7 am and 10 pm daily.

For southbound unladen vehicles, arrival kiosks Nos. A11 and A12 will be designated for their use during the same period.

Between 10 pm and 7 am the following day, only two pairs of kiosks, one pair in each direction, will be opened.

If any unladen goods vehicle kiosk is temporarily closed, the adjacent kiosk nearest to it will be arranged as a replacement.

In line with the existing practice, laden and unladen goods vehicles are required to line up separately within the northbound vehicles holding area.

However, during the trial runs, the Police may arrange for the northbound laden goods vehicles to proceed to the vehicle kiosks direct from San Sham Road without routeing through the vehicles holding area.

Northbound unladen goods vehicles should continue to go to the vehicles holding area with the rear door opened.

In the southbound vehicles holding area, there will continue to be no separate queues between laden and unladen vehicles.

Following the opening of the new kiosks on December 28, the need to continue with the unladen vehicle lanes will be reviewed together with the trade.

As new signs and markings have been placed to direct motorists, motorists are advised to follow the new signage and the direction of policemen on site.

End/Friday, December 17, 1999

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