Theatre Lane Pedestrian Street to Take Effect from July 27

A full-time pedestrian scheme will be implemented at Theatre Lane, one of the busiest areas in Central, to enhance pedestrian safety, improve environmental hygiene and reduce air pollution.

With effect from 10 am tomorrow (July 27), all motor vehicles (except those with permits) will be prohibited from entering Theatre Lane.

To facilitate the implementation, the existing 10 motorcycle parking spaces on the lane will be relocated to On Lan Street.

Furthermore, pedestrian priority zone and "24-hour" no-stopping restricted zone at Theatre Lane will also be imposed.

Appropriate traffic signs will be erected on site to guide motorists.

A spokesman for the Transport Department (TD) said: "By introducing the full-time pedestrian scheme, the crowding conditions in the area can be relieved."

"A section of Queen's Road Central between Theatre Lane and Chiu Lung Street has an average of 17 328 pedestrians per hour during the peak hours, while that of the Queen's Road Central between Theatre Lane and Pedder Street is 11 200," he added.

With the successful implementation of the scheme, the street will be beautified with landscape works.

The department had fully consulted the Traffic and Transport Committee of the Central and Western District Council, local organisations, related transport-trade operators since January this year on Theatre Lane pedestrian scheme, which is generally supported.

End/Thursday, July 26, 2001