Pedestrianisation extended to Stanley

Stanley Main Street and Stanley Market Road will be designated pedestrian zones on a trial basis between 11 am and 6 pm on Sundays and public holidays starting this Sunday (June 18).

A spokesman for the Transport Department said that like other pedestrianisation schemes in other parts of Hong Kong, this four-week trial aimed at providing a safe and comfortable environment for pedestrians.

"Being a cul-de-sac, Stanley Main Street does not attract much traffic," he said.

"The pedestrian flow, on the contrary, has significantly increased upon the completion of the Stanley Plaza which helps turn Stanley into a tourist attraction."

"Our survey shows that the pedestrian volume on Stanley Main Street and Stanley Market Road has increased from 730 to 2,870 pedestrians per hour and 1,100 to 1,640 pedestrians per hour respectively."

"In view of the high pedestrian usage, we have also designated Stanley Main Street and Stanley Market Road as pedestrian priority zone (i.e. vehicles must give way to pedestrians) at all times."

To alert motorists about the new arrangement, appropriate traffic signs will be erected at the entrance of Stanley Market Road.

A loading and unloading area will be provided at the western kerbside of Stanley New Street between Stanley Market Road and Stanley Village Road to allow vehicles to truncate their journeys.

Directional signs will also be mounted on Stanley Main Street to tell pedestrians where the tourist attractions are.

Eight parking spaces with 30-minute metres at Stanley Main Street will be retained for public use outside the hours of the pedestrianisation scheme.

The pedestrianisation scheme at Stanley is an idea shared by local residents, district councillors and the tourism industry, said the spokesman.

"We have taken accounts of comments from various parties before a decision is made and we intend to report the results of the trial to the Traffic and Transport Committee of the Southern District Committee upon the completion of the trial."

"Whether the scheme will be made permanent will depend on the result of the trial."

A section of Stanley New Street leading to the Stanley Old Market has been pedestrianised on Sundays and public holidays since mid 1999.

A brief ceremony to be officiated by the Assistant Commissioner for Transport, Mr Li Shu-ming, will be held on Stanley Main Street this Sunday to kick off the scheme.

End/Friday, June 16, 2000

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