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Following is a question by the Hon Abraham Shek and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport, Mr Nicholas Ng, in the Legislative Council today (March 6):

Question : It is noted that on the day before a major conference or exhibition is held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre ("HKCEC"), there are always large numbers of lorries loading and unloading in its vicinity, causing serious traffic congestion. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) of the measures in place to ease the aforesaid traffic congestion; and

(b) whether it will consider restricting the loading and unloading of lorries in the vicinity of the HKCEC to late night or off-peak hours on the day before a conference or exhibition is held?

Reply:

Madam President,

We take active measures to alleviate traffic congestion in the vicinity of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). The Transport Department and the Traffic Police have looked into the matter in consultation with the HKCEC and the following congestion relief measures are being implemented:

(a) HKCEC will alert the Traffic Police of any major event to be held at the Centre about one week in advance so that the latter would strengthen resources to manage traffic as necessary;

(b) no arrival/departure to/from HKCEC for move-in/out operations between 4:30 pm and 8:00 pm on weekdays is allowed. The Traffic Police will strictly enforce this restriction by setting up check-points in the vicinity. The HKCEC will also inform the event organiser of such traffic arrangements;

(c) the arrival time of delivery trucks to HKCEC will be closely managed by the HKCEC. HKCEC will divide the exhibition area into different zones and assign specific timeslots for deliveries to exhibition booths on a zonal basis. The Traffic Police will render assistance to ensure deliveries arrive at the specified timeslots;

(d) adequate publicity will be arranged by the Traffic Police to advise the public of the traffic situation. When heavy traffic in the vicinity of HKCEC is anticipated in association with a major event, traffic advice will be broadcast on radio; and

(e) Transport Department will closely monitor the traffic condition in the local area. The Department's Emergency Traffic Control Centre will be activated when necessary.

Moreover, lorry parking spaces will be reserved at the Tamar Site as a temporary marshalling area for lorries waiting to access HKCEC. In the longer term, the Administration plans to provide a marshalling area for lorries in the vicinity of HKCEC following completion of the future Wanchai Development Phase II.

Loading and unloading of lorries during the evening peak hours on weekdays are already prohibited. The suggestion to further restrict loading and unloading of lorries to late night may not be feasible in view of the scale of deliveries and tight schedule of exhibitors, especially those from overseas. The Transport Department will continue to monitor the traffic situation closely with the parties concerned and keep the matter under review.

End/Wednesday, March 6, 2002

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