Jordan pedestrianisation scheme proposed

The Transport Department is consulting parties concerned over its proposal of introducing a pedestrianisation scheme in Jordan.

The proposal includes the following:

	Nanking Street (between Nathan Road and Shanghai Street) be designated as a full time pedestrian zone;
	Temple Street (between Jordan Road and Nanking Street), Nanking Street (between Shanghai Street and Battery Street) and Saigon Street (between Woosung Street and Shanghai Street) be designated as part time pedestrian zones between 2 pm and 12 mid-night;
	Saigon Street and Parkes Street (between Woosung Street and Jordan Road) be designated as Shared Surface Streets;
	Footpath along Shanghai Street be widened; and
	Traffic Calming measures be introduced on Woosung Street, Pak Hoi Street, Pilken Street, Bowring Street and Ning Po Street.
	A Transport Department (TD) spokesman said that the idea of introducing a pedestrian scheme was to improve the pedestrian environment and safety by offering a bigger space for pedestrians and reducing traffic flow in the area.

"The creation of pedestrian zones and the widening of footpaths should be good news for the several thousand pedestrians who fight for the space with vehicles on streets such as Nanking Street, Temple Street and Shanghai Street."

"While some roads become inaccessible to vehicles, traffic measures will be implemented to direct them to the alternatives or divert them to less busy areas. These measures are the removal of on-street parking spaces, designation of pick-up and drop-off points, and the relocation of minibus stops."

"After all measures in the pedestrian scheme are implemented, pedestrians will find this area a better place to go," said the spokesman.

Members of the Yau Tsim Mong District Councils were consulted over the proposal today (January 18) and the views from the transportation trade and retailers concerned will be sought as well.

"We need support from all parties concerned whose views will help us fine tune the proposal," said the spokesman.

He said that the finalised pedestrian scheme was likely to carry out within this year, pending on the consultation results.

A Study was conducted by the TD in May last year to find out whether or not pedestrianisation schemes were suitable for Central, Wan Chai, Jordan and Sham Shui Po.

Pedestrian schemes have been implemented in Causeway Bay, Mong Kok and Tsim Sha Tsui, and a similar scheme for Central has been proposed for consultation last week.

End/Thursday, January 18, 2001