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The Transport Department and the Police today (June 25) held a press briefing to introduce the public transport services and relevant traffic regulations and enforcement situations at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point.
After the commissioning of the Shenzhen Bay Port on July 1, the public transport interchange situated at the Hong Kong Port Area of the Shenzhen Bay Port will commence its operation on the same day. It will provide various public transport services to facilitate visitors travelling to and from the Mainland.
"The Shenzhen Bay Port is, in general, positioned mainly for cargo traffic and to an appropriate extent, catered for passenger transport as well. Cross-boundary visitors can take public transport, including cross-boundary coaches, franchised buses, green minibuses, urban and NT taxis, to go to the Shenzhen Bay Port. Cross-boundary coaches will drive via the Shenzhen Bay Bridge and Shekou in Shenzhen for other cities in the Mainland, while the public transport will be travelling to and from the public transport interchange at the Hong Kong Port Area of the Shenzhen Bay Port. Passengers can then proceed to the Control Point for clearance," Assistant Commissioner for the Transport Department (New Territories), Miss Cindy Law said.
For franchised bus services, visitors can take New Lantao Bus Route No. B2, which travels between Yuen Long Station of West Rail and the Shenzhen Bay Port. They can also take Citybus Route No. B3, which travels between Tuen Mun Pier and the Shenzhen Bay Port.
For green minibuses services, visitors can take Route No. 618, which travels between Tin Yan Estate in Tin Shui Wai and the Shenzhen Bay Port.
"Since the Hong Kong Port Area of the Shenzhen Bay Port is a closed area, vehicles other than taxis will require a Closed Road Permit," Miss Law said.
"Motorists travelling from Tuen Mun area can use Tuen Mun Highway Lam Tei Interchange and the Shenzhen Bay Bridge for access to the Shenzhen Bay Port. Those from other areas can travel via Yuen Long Highway and Lam Tei Interchange to the Shenzhen Bay Port," Assistant Commissioner for Transport Department (Planning), Mr To Kam-biu said.
The Shenzhen Bay Port is divided into cargo clearance area and passenger clearance area. Goods vehicles heading for the cargo clearance area should drive on the left-hand-most traffic lane and slip road leading to the Shenzhen Bay Port for access to the cargo clearance area. Other types of vehicles should leave the Shenzhen Bay Bridge on the right-hand-most traffic lane and slip road for the passenger clearance area.
Mr To reminded motorists to observe the traffic signs along the roads and to select the appropriate routes and traffic lanes for access to the Shenzhen Bay Port.
"Various traffic management measures including the possible temporary closure of the Shenzhen Bay Bridge, will be implemented during inclement weather. Motorists should take note of messages broadcast on electronic media and relevant instructions on the electronic variable message signs and traffic signs," Mr To added.
Also attending today's press briefing, Police Divisional Commander of Tin Shui Wai Division, Mr Tony Kwok Ho-yee said that the Shenzhen Bay Port Hong Kong Port Area Ordinance (Cap. 591), which was passed by the Legislative Council in late April this year, provided a legal basis for the application of the laws of Hong Kong to the Hong Kong Port Area and the court's jurisdiction in this connection.
"Police will provide round-the-clock coverage at the Shenzhen Bay Port with a nine-storey Police Base in the vicinity of the Cargo Examination Area of the new boundary control point. In addition, a Police Reporting Centre will be set up on the ground floor of the Passenger Terminal Building to provide 24-hour service to members of the public," Mr Kwok said.
"Our primary duty is to maintain the law and order in the Hong Kong Port Area. In addition, we will also be responsible for the maintenance of the boundary security of the Hong Kong Port Area and management of the passenger and vehicular traffic flow in conjunction with other relevant government departments," he said.
The Shenzhen Bay Port Hong Kong Port Area will be administered as a closed area. This is the same as all the other land boundary control points in Hong Kong. The closed area will cover the Hong Kong Clearance Area, the Shenzhen Bay Bridge and the related local road in the vicinity (the Deep Bay Link portion).
Similar to other boundary control points, persons who wish to enter the closed area will be required to apply for a Closed Area Permit, except those exempted under "General Permission to enter or leave the closed area for Hong Kong Port Area and Hong Kong section of the Shenzhen Bay Bridge". Offenders are liable to prosecution.
"General permission will be granted to persons entering or leaving Hong Kong via the new control point at the Hong Kong Port Area, and drivers of road vehicles and specified modes of public transport carrying those persons, to enter or leave the closed area consisting of the Hong Kong Part Area and Hong Kong section of the Shenzhen Bay Bridge and the Deep Bay Link portion," Mr Kwok explained.
"This arrangement is similar to the operation of other land boundary control points. No casual visitors are allowed," he stressed.
Turning to the traffic enforcement on the Shenzhen Bay Bridge, Police Chief Inspector of Enforcement and Control of Traffic New Territories North, Mr Mark Ma Kwok-wah appealed to motorist travelling along the access road to and from the Shenzhen Bay Port should comply with the Road Traffic Ordinance (Cap. 374).
"Motorists should observe the imposed speed limit, which varies according to prevailing weather and traffic conditions and always follow the instruction of the Police," Mr Ma said.
He reminded members of the public that the traffic enforcement on the Shenzhen Bay Bridge is no different to the current enforcement on other expressways and Strategic Road Network.
High profile policing will continue to deter traffic offenders against speeding; careless driving, in particular, careless lane changing and tailgating; failing to keep left; use of hand-held mobile phone while vehicle is in motion, and overloading.
"A new weigh station will be set up at Ha Tsuen in Yuen Long to effectively combat the problem of overloading vehicles," Mr Ma added.
Last but not least, Miss Law said, "Since the roads leading to the Shenzhen Bay Port will be closed about 30 minutes before the Port ceases operation, motorists should ensure that there is adequate time to arrive at the Port for clearance."
Cross-boundary visitors should plan their trips well in advance and check the latest traffic conditions through various channels (e.g. websites and enquiries hotlines).
In order to let cross-boundary visitors know about the public transport services and traffic arrangements to and from the Shenzhen Bay Port, the Transport Department has launched a series of publicity work, including TV and radio Announcements in the Public Interest, leaflets, posters, banners, websites and enquiries hotlines.
For further information, members of the public can visit the Transport Department's website www.td.gov.hk, call 1834567 (pre-recorded messages) or 2804 2600 (answered by Government Hotline 1823).
Ends/Monday, June 25, 2007
Issued at HKT 19:15
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