Special traffic arrangements for football match on August 8
The Transport Department (TD) today (August 6) announced the special traffic and transport arrangements to tie in with the HKFA - Real Madrid Asia Tour 2003 held at Hong Kong Stadium, So Kon Po on August 8.
TD urges motorists to follow the direction by traffic police officers on the spot and drive with patience and care. Members of the public should use public transport to and from the Hong Kong Stadium.
From 4 pm on August 8, Caroline Hill Road between its eastern junction with Leighton Road and Cotton Path (except for vehicles to St. Paul's Hospital when the access from Tung Lo Wan Road is closed); and Hysan Avenue westbound between Sunning Road and Hoi Ping Road will be closed.
Moreover, a series of traffic diversions will be implemented in the vicinity of So Kon Po before and after the football match.
The drop-off zone for coaches will be located at the western kerbside of Caroline Hill Road outside South China Athletic Association (southern side). The drop-off zone for taxis will be at the southern kerbside of Eastern Hospital Road near the eastern side of the Stadium main entrance. No private car is allowed to drop off passengers outside the main entrance of the Stadium. The drop-off zone for private cars will be at the northern kerbside of Eastern Hospital Road near the eastern side of the Stadium main entrance.
After the football match, if situation warrants, special road closures and diversions may be implemented from about 9.35 pm until crowds have dispersed. Affected road sections will include Caroline Hill Road; Eastern Hospital Road; Leighton Road; Link Road northbound downhill; and Hoi Ping Road.
Concerning public transport for the commencement of the event, Citybus route 5B plying between Kennedy Town and Causeway Bay (circular) will be diverted. Its bus stops on Tung Lo Wan Road outside New Cathay Hotel, Caroline Hill Road and along Eastern Hospital Road will be suspended temporarily. Temporary bus stops will be provided on Leighton Road outside Post Office Recreation Club; at the opposite kerbside lane of the original bus stop on Caroline Hill Road; and on Eastern Hospital Road opposite to Sir Ellis Kadoorie School. Moreover, Green minibus routes no. 5, 14M and 30 will be diverted.
When the event is concluded, Cross Harbour Tunnel recreation route 117R (Hong Kong Stadium to Mong Kok) will provide special service to pick up passengers on Tung Lo Wan Road and will depart when fully loaded. Citybus route no. 5B, Green minibus routes nos. 5, 14M and 30 will be diverted.
All on-street car parking spaces on Stadium Path; Caroline Hill Road northbound between Stadium Path and Cotton Path; Eastern Hospital Service Road; and Hoi Ping Road will be temporarily suspended from 3 pm to 11 pm. Any vehicles found illegally parked within the precinct of the special traffic arrangements specified above might be towed away without prior notice.
Meanwhile, as there will be thousands of spectators watching live broadcast of the football match at Mong Kok Stadium, Police will implement a series of crowd control measures. Subject to the situation on site, Police will close some roads/streets in the vicinity if and when necessary. Motorists should follow the direction by traffic police officers on the spot and members of the public should use public transport.
KCRC, MTRC, KMB, NWFB and CTB will strengthen their services after the broadcast has ended to cater for demand of passengers when necessary.
Actual implementation of the above road closures, traffic control, public transport diversions and alighting arrangements will be implemented by Police depending on the traffic and crowd situations.
Details of the special traffic and transport arrangements have been uploaded onto TD website http://www.info.gov.hk/td/eng/notice/specialtravel/ specialtravel_index.html.
Ends/Wednesday, August 6, 2003