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The Transport Advisory Committee (TAC) discussed at its meeting today (December 20) a report written by a Transport Expert Panel appointed by the Harbour-front Enhancement Committee¡¦s Subcommittee on Wan Chai Development Phase II Review (Subcommittee) to review and make recommendations on the sustainable transport planning for the northern shore of Hong Kong Island, including the necessity of the Central-Wan Chai Bypass (CWB), and a paper setting out the Government¡¦s response to the recommendations.
¡§Members note the affirmation in the Transport Expert Panel¡¦s report of the transport need for constructing the CWB and its planned slip roads to improve the reliability of the road network as well as tackling the deteriorating traffic conditions along the northern shore of the Hong Kong Island,¡¨ TAC Chairman, Ms Teresa Cheng, said.
¡§The CWB is the last, yet to be built, section of a strategic highway running along the northern shore of Hong Kong Island. It will connect the existing flyover near Rumsey Street in Central to the existing Island Eastern Corridor.
"When the CWB is completed, vehicles commuting between the Eastern District and the western parts of the Territory (such as Tuen Mun and Hong Kong International Airport) can use the strategic highway without having to pass through the busy districts of Causeway Bay, Wan Chai and Central as at present.
"There is a compelling transport case to build the bypass as the existing transport infrastructure cannot meet the current and future traffic demand,¡¨ she said.
In the report, the Expert Panel gives support for the planned slip roads of the CWB at the Convention and Exhibition Centre area and at Victoria Park Road/Gloucester Road/Hing Fat Street to magnify the benefits of the CWB.
It recognises the need for Road P2 as an important interim measure to address traffic congestion in the Central area before the CWB comes about. It also recommends a full range of short, medium and long-term measures aimed at improving traffic conditions along the east-west corridor on the northern shore of Hong Kong Island.
¡§On road pricing, we agree with the Expert Panel¡¦s view that without the provision of proper infrastructure, road pricing alone cannot serve as a panacea to the traffic problem. Road pricing can complement, but cannot replace, the CWB,¡¨ said Ms Cheng.
At the meeting, members were also briefed on the progress of the measures to enhance road safety and safety of Public Light Bus (PLB) operations in Hong Kong.
Members noted the progress of measures covering legislation, enforcement, publicity, education as well as application of technology to combat poor driving behaviour and enhance awareness of safe driving.
¡§We appreciate that Government has taken active steps to combat inappropriate driving behaviour and to enhance safety of PLB operations. Driving attitude and behaviour have a great bearing on road safety. It is essential for the Government to carry out continuous education and publicity to instill in drivers a correct driving attitude,¡¨ Ms Cheng said.
Ends/Tuesday, December 20, 2005
Issued at HKT 18:52
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