Special traffic arrangements for HK Marathon on February 8

Temporary traffic and transport arrangements will be implemented in West Kowloon, New Territories South and on Hong Kong Island starting at midnight on Saturday to facilitate the running of the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon on Sunday (February 8), the Transport Department announced.

The races will start at 6.45am Sunday in Tsim Sha Tsui and last about five hours. The marathon route will take runners over the Tsing Ma Bridge and through the Western Harbour Crossing, finishing at Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai.

Special temporary traffic and transport arrangements include:

	Road closures and traffic diversions (in phases) in the affected areas;
	Diversion of about 100 bus routes and 15 green minibus routes and relocation of terminuses for 34 bus routes; and
	Suspension of some bus stops, green minibus stands, taxi stands, parking meters and car parks.

People who plan to go to the areas affected by the special arrangements are advised to use public transport. In case of traffic congestion, motorists are urged to exercise tolerance and patience and heed the instructions of Police.

Since the Hong Kong-bound tube of the Western Harbour Crossing will be closed from 12.01am on Sunday until roads are reopened, motorists heading for Hong Kong Island are advised to use other tunnels.

People are advised to allow themselves more travelling time than usual and listen to the radio for the latest traffic news.

Details of the temporary traffic and transport arrangements are available in the "Traffic Notices" of the department's homepage http://www.td.gov.hk/traffic_notices/index.htm.

The public can also call the Government's 24-hour hotline (Tel No. 1823) for enquiries.

Ends/Friday, February 6, 2004