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The Transport Department (TD) today (October 29) said that some motorists have ignored the temporary traffic control measures implemented by the TD and the Police at areas affected by protests and have failed to follow the traffic signs and road markings, adding that such behaviour is in breach of law and will also seriously affect road safety.
The TD noted that currently only franchised buses are allowed to make a left turn from Gloucester Road (Central bound) onto inner Gloucester Road via a temporary access near old Wan Chai Police Station from 7am to 10pm daily. Other vehicles must travel via O'Brien Road and make a left turn from Gloucester Road to go to inner Gloucester Road. The TD found that some motorists still drove onto inner Gloucester Road through the temporary access without paying heed to the traffic signs showing "franchised buses only" erected at the road section.
Meanwhile, the Police have placed traffic cones at the fast lane of Gloucester Road (westbound) near the Tonnochy Road Flyover up-ramp to divert traffic from the Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Central to go via Wan Chai North. However, some unlawful motorists have disrupted the traffic arrangements by knocking down the traffic cones and then driving onto Gloucester Road. Also, some motorists, for the sake of convenience, were found making unauthorised U-turns on Harbour Road (Causeway Bay bound) outside the Shui On Centre to Harbour Road (Central bound).
The TD expressed grave concern about the above behaviour in contravention of the traffic ordinance, adding that driving without paying heed to traffic control measures may cause serious traffic accidents. The TD again called on members of the public, saying that both pedestrians and motorists must abide by the traffic ordinance to safeguard themselves and other road users.
The traffic on Hong Kong Island is still seriously affected by protests and congestion continues to appear at the existing U-turn point on Connaught Road Central outside Exchange Square. An additional U-turn arrangement has been made at Edinburgh Place outside Star Ferry Car Park to improve the situation. Apart from the U-turn arrangement outside Exchange Square, motorists travelling along Connaught Road Central (Wan Chai bound) heading for Sheung Wan/Western District can make a U-turn at Edinburgh Place to enter Connaught Road Central (Sheung Wan bound) at-grade or Pedder Street underpass heading for Sheung Wan. Motorists should pay attention to the temporary traffic signs erected at the scene, follow the instruction of the Police and drive carefully.
Regarding public transport services, Hong Kong Tramways Limited noted that since the tram tracks on Yee Wo Street in Causeway Bay are still occupied by protesters, tram cars on the eastern part of Hong Kong Island are unable to return to the Whitty Street depot in Western district for inspection and maintenance. As only limited inspection can be conducted on tram cars at the depot in Sai Wan Ho, tram operations and services are seriously affected. Currently, the tram service between Percival Street and Paterson Street is still suspended. As for bus services, a total of 225 bus routes are still affected today with eight bus routes suspended and 217 bus routes diverted. Among the affected bus routes, 85 routes travelling via Mong Kok are diverted due to the closure of a number of road sections in Mong Kok. A total of 20 green minibus routes travelling via Harcourt Road, Nathan Road and Argyle Street are still diverted or suspended or with service adjusted. The MTR Corporation Limited continues to increase services for all urban lines to cope with passenger demand.
The TD's Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre will continue to monitor the road traffic situation and public transport services. For details of road closure, traffic diversion, suspension and route diversion of green minibus services, please refer to the TD's website (www.td.gov.hk). Regarding temporary traffic arrangements for bus routes, please refer to the following bus companies' websites for details:
For routes of Citybus and New World First Bus: www.nwstbus.com.hk/en/uploadedFiles/OC2014/TAA.htmˇ@ˇ@
For routes of Kowloon Motor Bus: www.kmb.hk/enˇ@ˇ@
As there will be updates on bus services from time to time due to traffic changes, members of the public are advised to pay attention to the latest service arrangements announced by bus companies before starting their journeys.
Ends/Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Issued at HKT 19:21
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