Following is a question by the Hon Lam So-wai and a reply by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, in the Legislative Council today (May 7):

Question: It has been reported that earlier on, due to the severe inadequacy of ancillary transport facilities at the East Dam of the High Island Reservoir (East Dam), numerous visitors were left stranded there in the evening. Some taxi drivers even took advantage of this situation by overcharging. Furthermore, some members of the public have relayed insufficient mobile network coverage in the area, which has adversely affected public communications and their ability to seek assistance. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) whether it has reviewed the demand for public transport in the East Dam area, including reviewing the cap on the number of people and vehicles permitted within the Pak Tam Chung Barrier closed area under the principle of prioritising environmental and ecological protection, and whether it has considered prohibiting taxis from entering the area during peak hours, instead issuing a certain number of permits to designated non-franchised bus operators to transport tourists to and from the East Dam in the form of tour groups;

(2) whether it will consider introducing a high-speed ferry service to Pak Lap Village, near the East Dam, to alleviate road traffic pressure in the East Dam area; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and

(3) whether, in response to the Government's proactive promotion of eco-tourism, the authorities will conduct a comprehensive review of ancillary transport facilities in remote rural areas and actively engage with the telecommunications industry to improve mobile network coverage in these rural areas, with a view to enhancing communications and ensuring that members of the public can seek timely assistance in emergencies; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?

Reply:

President,

     In respect of the question raised by the Hon Lam So-wai, in consultation with the Transport and Logistics Bureau (TLB), the Environment and Ecology Bureau (EEB) and the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau (CEDB), the reply is as follows:

(1) Recently, there has been a significant increase in the number of visitors accessing the East Dam during some weekends, public holidays and the just-ended Labour Day Golden Week of the Mainland, causing traffic congestion on Sai Kung Man Yee Road. In handling the issues related to the East Dam, it involves cross-departmental collaboration, including the Tourism Commission (TC) under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, and also the Transport Department (TD), the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), the Water Supplies Department (WSD), the District Office and the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF). The Government held a cross-departmental meeting last month to formulate and execute a series of enhancement measures. Amongst them, the TD coordinated with the relevant operator, strengthened the capacity and increased the frequency of Green Minibus Route No. 9A subject to passenger demand, enhanced the queuing arrangement for passengers, and strengthened dissemination of traffic information; the WSD arranged for contractors to carry out temporary improvement works at some locations on Sai Kung Man Yee Road to facilitate the manoeuvering of traffic; the HKPF also took publicity and enforcement actions to combat any taxi drivers' illegal acts. During the recent Labour Day Golden Week of the Mainland, through the concerted efforts of various departments, operations were generally smooth even a large number of visitors went there.

     The measures we have implemented to tackle the traffic congestion in the short run are mainly through enhancing the transport services supply. However, the Government cannot increase transport services accessing country parks on an unlimited basis. Neither can the East Dam area withstand such a large number of visitors on a long-term basis. When developing eco-tourism, we must consider the carrying capacity of countryside, on the premise of protecting and respecting the ecological environment, so as to ensure the healthy development of eco-tourism. In the long run, we hope to divert the tourists visiting Hong Kong for hiking activities to different hiking routes for better visiting experience, and to minimise the impact of visitors' activities on individual hiking trails and countryside nature.

     There are many beautiful hiking trails and islands in Hong Kong. Apart from the East Dam, there are other hiking trails, such as Dragon's Back, Shing Mun Reservoir, Thousand-Island Lake in Tai Lam Country Park, with scenic views. The AFCD, in collaboration with the TC and the Hong Kong Tourism Board, will enhance the promotion of other hiking trails in Hong Kong, with a view to diversifying the hiking routes of the visitors.The AFCD will also strengthen the management of country parks, including deploying additional personnel to patrol the region, promoting messages related to environment protection and proper disposal of refuse.

     As raised by the Hon Lam, there are suggestions that the Government should make reference to the traffic control arrangement adopted, particularly on narrow roads, during mega events or festivals, and explore the feasibility of adopting traffic control arrangement in the East Dam during weekends and public holidays, including prohibiting the access of taxis. On this, the TC, the AFCD and the TD will discuss the most appropriate means including exploring if only suitable shuttle vehicles are allowed to carry visitors from Pak Tam Chung to the East Dam while accommodating the travel needs of local residents at the same time.

(2) Regarding the provision of sea transportation service in the vicinity of the East Dam, no suitable boarding piers or landing facilities for ferries are available at the East Dam area currently. The question mentioned about Pak Lap, which is approximately 2.1 kilometres (i.e. about one hour of walking distance) from the East Dam, has a jetty constructed by local residents. The structure and scale of the jetty are relatively small, with inadequate water depth, and not suitable for boarding by ferries. Hence, for any works related to construction of new landing facilities or enhancement of the existing jetty, ecological and environmental conservation should be carefully considered.

(3) At present, many hiking spots located away from the city centre are connected by well-developed public transport services and road networks. For remote rural areas, the TD has, where feasible, appropriately arranged for public transport services to take passengers to nearby locations in order to facilitate visitors to go hiking after the ride.

     Mobile network operators have installed 33 radio base stations (RBS) in major country parks as well as rural/remote areas. The overall mobile network coverage of country parks is around 80 per cent and that along major government hiking trails is around 95 per cent. The CEDB and the Office of the Communications Authority have formulated details of the Subsidy Scheme to Extend 5G Coverage in Rural and Remote Areas. It is anticipated that upon the commissioning of all relevant RBS, the mobile network coverage of country parks will be enhanced to at least 90 per cent, while coverage along major government hiking trails will exceed 98 per cent. 

     To ensure members of the public can seek prompt assistance in case of emergencies, as long as their location is covered by any local mobile networks, they can dial "112" to connect to the "999" Police emergency service centre no matter which mobile phone network service they are using.

     Thank you.

Ends/Wednesday, May 7, 2025
Issued at HKT 12:34

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