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The Government announces today (September 8) a trial scheme to allow private cars with Closed Road Permits (CRPs) for the Man Kam To (MKT) and/or Sha Tau Kok (STK) crossings to cross the boundary via the Lok Ma Chau crossing between midnight and 6:30 a.m., when the former two crossings are closed.

"The trial scheme aims to further facilitate cross-boundary people and vehicle flows through better utilisation of the Lok Ma Chau Control Point (LMCCP) at which 24-hour passenger clearance has been implemented since January 27," a spokesman for the Environment, Transport and Works Bureau said.

The handling capacity of the LMCCP is sufficient to cope with the increase in vehicle and passenger traffic from midnight onwards.

"The additional traffic flow to be generated at and in the vicinity of the control point is expected to be manageable," the spokesman said.

The Transport Department will issue letters to the CRP holders concerned in mid-September to inform them of the detailed arrangements of the trial scheme.

As there will be heavy traffic at the LMCCP during the National Day Golden Week, the trial scheme will be implemented on October 8 to ensure that the control point will not be overloaded.

"We will closely monitor the operation of the scheme and review its effectiveness before the completion of the new boundary bridge between LMC and Huanggang by the end of 2004," the spokesman said.

The CRP holders concerned will be allowed to use the Lok Ma Chau crossing only during the permitted hours. Non-compliance will be subject to prosecution.

End/Monday, September 8, 2003

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