Special traffic and transport arrangements for equestrian events
The Transport Department today (August 9) announced that the following special traffic and transport arrangements would be implemented in connection with the holding of the "Good Luck Beijing - HKSAR 10th Anniversary Cup" in Sha Tin and North District starting from Saturday (August 11):
1. Sha Tin
(a) Prohibited zone
The section of Yuen Wo Road east of Sha Tin Road will be designated as prohibited zone from 4.30am to 12.45pm on August 11 and from 4.45pm to 11.55pm on August 13.
During the prohibited zone periods, taxi drivers heading for the above section of Yuen Wo Road are advised to use the existing taxi stand at Tak Hau Street and coach drivers are advised to use Fung Shun Street in Wo Che Estate for picking up and setting down activities.
(b) Road closure
Part of the road in the public car park adjacent to Ma Liu Shui Public Transport Interchange has been closed since noon on August 7. The closure will be effective to 6pm on August 14.
(c) Suspension of parking spaces
(i) The public car park at Yuen Wo Road near Sha Tin Fire Station will be suspended from 2pm tomorrow (August 10) to 12.45pm on Saturday (August 11) and from 0.01am to 11.55pm on Monday (August 13).
(ii) Four goods vehicle parking spaces at the public car park adjacent to Ma Liu Shui Public Transport Interchange have been suspended since noon on August 7. The suspension will be effective to 6pm on August 14.
2. North District
(a) Traffic control
To facilitate on-site regulation of traffic, the Police will set up a control point at Hang Tau Road on August 12.
(b) Bus stop relocation
The existing bus stop at Pak Wo Road southbound outside Fanling KCR Station will be relocated about 80 metres southward from 5.30am to about 12.30pm on Sunday (August 12).
Free shuttle bus services
Free shuttle bus services will be provided by the Equestrian Company for spectators to/from venue as follows:
1. Sha Tin venue: between the public car park adjacent to Ma Liu Shui Public Transport Interchange (outside University KCR Station) and Yuen Wo Road from 5am to 1pm on Saturday and from 5pm on Monday (August 13) to 12.30am on Tuesday (August 14).
2. North district venue: between Pak Wo Road southbound (outside Fanling KCR Station) and Hang Tau Road from 6am to 1pm on Sunday (August 12).
Rail services
To cater for the need of the spectators, the rail services will be strengthened on Saturday as follows:
1. MTR service
Train service will be advanced as follows:
(i) Tsuen Wan Line
Tsuen Wan to Central - 4.40am
Central to Tsuen Wan - 4.45am
(ii) Kwun Tong Line
Tiu Keng Leng to Yau Ma Tei - 4.42am
Yau Ma Tei to Tiu Keng Leng - 4.55am
Both lines will operate at a 10-minute headway up to the first normal departure.
2. KCR service
Additional departures will be deployed as follows:
(i) Northbound - from East Tsim Sha Tsui at 5am, 5.09am and 5.19am
(ii) Southbound - from Sheung Shui at 5.05am and 5.20am
A spokesman for the Transport Department said: "Spectators are strongly advised to use the rail and free shuttle bus services to travel to/from the venues as there is not any parking and loading/unloading facilities for private cars, taxis and coaches outside the venues in Sha Tin and North District."
The spokesman also appealed to people planning to go to the affected areas to use public transport. Motorists are advised to avoid driving to the affected areas. In case of traffic congestion, they should exercise tolerance and patience, and take heed of the instructions given by the Police on site. People are advised to plan their route early, use alternative routes and allow more travelling time to cater for unexpected delay. They should also pay attention to the information on the latest traffic situations broadcast via the mass media.
Details of the special traffic arrangements are available at the Transport Department's website: http://www.td.gov.hk/traffic_notices/index_inmode_3_trafficid_8874.htm.
Ends/Thursday, August 9, 2007
Issued at HKT 17:54