New outbound kiosks at Lok Ma Chau control point

Four additional kiosks have been installed in the northbound direction of the Lok Ma Chau Control Point to cope with increasing cross-boundary vehicular traffic. The kiosks will begin operation from 7am on October 12 (Tuesday).

The four new outbound kiosks, to be used for immigration and customs clearance of private cars, will be operated from 7am to 10pm daily. Outside this period, existing kiosk arrangements will be maintained.

A department spokesman said the four new outbound kiosks were designed to allow one-stop immigration and customs clearance for private cars, thus improving efficiency and facilitating cross-boundary traffic.

After clearance, private cars are to drive through the right-most kiosk lane (No 1) to go to the boundary bridge. The remaining 11 pairs of existing outbound immigration and customs kiosks (No 2-12) will be used mainly for clearance of goods vehicles. Depending on the traffic situation, up to three pairs of the existing kiosks (No 2-4) may be used to clear private cars.

Traffic signs and road markings will be put up to direct private cars to the new outbound kiosks. Leaflets detailing the new arrangements will be distributed to motorists at the Lok Ma Chau control point prior to the commissioning of the new kiosks. Motorists are advised to follow the new signage and the direction of the control point staff on site.

To bring similar improvement to southbound traffic, four similar private car kiosks are being planned for installation in the control point's southbound vehicle queuing area. Subject to funding approval, works for the additional inbound kiosks will begin in early 2005 for completion in mid 2005.

"Upon commissioning, the additional kiosks in both the northbound and southbound directions of the Lok Ma Chau Control Point are expected to enhance traffic flow through the crossing as well as on the approach roads," the spokesman said.

Ends/Sunday, October 10, 2004