Special traffic and transport arrangements for flag-raising ceremony, celebration parade and public processions on July 1

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     The Transport Department (TD) today (June 29) reminded the public that special traffic and public transport arrangements would be implemented on Thursday (July 1) to facilitate a flag-raising ceremony, celebration parade and various public processions on Hong Kong Island.

     The flag-raising ceremony will be held at 8am at Golden Bauhinia Square, the celebration parade from Happy Valley Racecourse to Southorn Playground will start at 10.30am, while various public processions will start from noon.

     Details of the special traffic and public transport arrangements are as follows:

Flag-raising ceremony
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*  To facilitate the flag-raising ceremony at Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai, the roads around the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Phase II) will be closed from 5.30am to 11am.

Celebration parade
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*  For the celebration parade, a section of Morrison Hill Road southbound will be closed from about 9am.  Also, a section of Tin Lok Lane northbound, a section of Hennessy Road westbound between Tin Lok Lane and Fenwick Street as well as some sections of the roads in the vicinity of the parade route will be temporarily closed from 10.15am until dispersal of the parade teams.

Public processions
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*  The first procession will depart from North Point Playground (Tin Chiu Road Exit) for the destination at Hing Fat Street Carpark via King's Road and Causeway Road. Intermittent closure of the slow lane along the procession route will be implemented from noon to 1.30pm.

*  The second procession will depart from East Point Road in Causeway Bay for the destination at HSBC Headquarters via Hennessy Road westbound, Queensway westbound and Queen's Road Central westbound. Intermittent closure of the slow lane along the procession route will be implemented from 2pm to 3.30pm.

*  The third procession will depart from Victoria Park for the destination at the Central Government Offices via Causeway Road westbound, Irving Street, Pennington Street, Yee Wo Street westbound, Hennessy Road westbound, Queensway westbound and Queen's Road Central westbound.

-  From about 1pm onwards, the roads in the vicinity of Victoria Park and the Causeway Bay shopping area will be closed in phases.

-  From about 2.30pm onwards, the westbound carriageway of Causeway Road, Yee Wo Street and Hennessy Road will be closed.

-  From about 3pm onwards, Queensway, Queen's Road Central between Queensway and Pedder Street, Des Voeux Road Central westbound between Queensway and Pedder Street and the roads in the vicinity of the Central Government Offices will be closed.

-  The extent and period of the road closures may be adjusted by the Police depending on the actual situation.

     "In connection with the road closures, 83 bus routes and 22 green minibus (GMB) routes will be diverted.  Bus stops, tram stops, GMB and public light bus stands, taxi stands, parking meters and car parks located in road closure areas will be suspended," said Mr Albert Su, the TD's Principal Transport Officer.

     "Due to extensive road closures, it is anticipated that the traffic in Causeway Bay, Wan Chai, Queensway, Central, Aberdeen Tunnel and the Cross Harbour Tunnel will be seriously congested and the traffic queue may take a long time to disperse."

     Mr Su advised motorists not to drive to the affected areas.  People who plan to go to the affected areas are advised to use public transport services.  Notices will be displayed by public transport operators on the temporary route diversions and suspension/relocation of stops.

     Depending on the prevailing circumstances, the Police may extend the coverage of the road closures, including introduction of more ad-hoc traffic and public transport measures at short notice.

     Members of the public are advised to be alert to the latest traffic news on television and radio stations.  They can also visit the TD's website (www.td.gov.hk) or call 1823 Call Centre for the latest traffic and transport information.

Ends/Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Issued at HKT 16:35

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Attachments : Routes of Celebration Parade and Public Processions on July 1

Attachments : Road Closures for Celebration Parade and Public Processions on Hong Kong Island on July 1