Pedestrianisation scheme in Yuen Long proposed

The Transport Department is consulting the Yuen Long District Council over its proposal of introducing a pedestrianisation scheme in Yuen Long, a scheme that includes the full pedestrianisation of Castle Peak Road (between Kuk Ting Street and Kik Yeung Road) during its fifth and last phase.

The pedestrianisation scheme, to be implemented in five phases, is a recommendation from the Tuen Mun and Yuen Long District Traffic Study conducted by the Transport Department to look into the solutions to the traffic and pedestrian problems in Tuen Mun and Yuen Long.

"Our aim of introducing such a scheme is simple: a nice environment for those who enjoy walking and smooth traffic for those who have to drive," said a spokesman for the Transport Department.

Stage 1 involves the part-time pedestrianisation of five side streets between 10 am and 10 pm on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays:

	Fook Hong Street (between Castle Peak Road and Sau Fu Street);
	Yuen Long Hong Lok Road (between Castle Peak Road and Hong King Road);
	Sai Yu Street (between Kau Yuk Road and Sai Ching Street);
	Hop Choi Street (between Fau Tsoi Street and Mau Tan Street); and
	Yuen Long New Street.

The following traffic diversions will be required:

	Vehicles on southbound Yat Sun Street to turn right onto Fau Tsoi Street so that the junction capacity at Castle Peak Road/Tai Tong Road/Kuk Ting Street can be relieved.
	Traffic from Castle Peak Road to turn left into Yat Sun Street, through Fau Tsoi Street to gain access to Tai Tong Road and the Public Light Bus Terminus at Yu King Square.
	Kau Yuk Road between Yuen Long Hong Lok Road and Tai Tong Road will be re-routed from two-way to one-way westbound.
	Vehicles to and from Hong King Street will have to travel via Yuen Long Hong Lok Road and Kau Yuk Road.

Stage 1 will be implemented for three months and upon the approval from the District Council, Stage 2 will be carried out, which means that the five streets will be pedestrianised 24 hours a day.

In Stage 3, Castle Peak Road between Kuk Ting Street and Kik Yeung Road will be designated as a public transport corridor between 10 am and 10 pm on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

Vehicles other than public transport are not allowed to enter the section of Castle Peak Road during the period of time and they will have to travel via either Yuen Long On Ning Road or Kau Yuk Road for their destinations.

Stage 3 will be implemented for three months, to be followed by a three-month consultation and review. Upon the approval of the District Council, Stage 4 will come to effect, which means that the measure in Stage 3 will be carried out 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Stage 5 is the full pedestrianisation of Castle Peak Road between Kuk Ting Street and Kik Yeung Road. No vehicle will be allowed to enter this road section except LRT trains and delivery vehicles with special permits.

In order to cater for the heavy traffic within Yuen Long Town, one-way traffic has been proposed. The major traffic diversions are summarised as follows:

	Ma Miu Road south of Yuen Long On Ning Road will be converted to one-way northbound and Ma Miu Road between Yuen Long On Ning Road and Wang Tat Road to one-way southbound;
	Ping Wui Street will be converted to one-way northbound;
	Yuen Long On Ning Road will be converted to one-way eastbound;
	Kau Yuk Road will be converted to one-way westbound; and
	Yuen Long Tai Yuk Road north of Kau Yuk Road will be converted to one-way northbound.

Apart from the traffic diversions, other traffic management measures such as the relocation of bus stops or taxi stands will also be required.

"A low rise planter of about one-metre high with soft landscaping is proposed on both sides of the LRT reserve; some sitting out or amenity areas will be provided; the boundary and footpath of pedestrianised areas will be delineated with high quality pavement blocks or planting with hard and soft landscaping; and the footpaths along Castle Peak Road, Kau Yuk Road and Yuen Long On Ning will be widened," said the spokesman.

"We are open to public views. The scheme will be fine tuned before its implementation which is likely to take place mid this year."

End/Tuesday, March 13, 2001