Special traffic arrangements at Lok Ma Chau for Huanggang blasting

Goods vehicles -

    All northbound cross-boundary goods vehicles and passenger traffic will be stopped at 12.35pm. All southbound cross-boundary goods vehicles and passenger traffic will be stopped at 12.45pm. Traffic in both directions will resume by 1.10pm at the earliest.

Private cars and hire cars -

    All northbound cross-boundary private cars and hire cars are forbidden to travel via San Sham Road leading to Lok Ma Chau Control Point from noon until the cross-boundary traffic resumes as normal.  

    A Transport Department spokesman reminded goods vehicle drivers, other motorists and passengers to plan their journeys well in advance and to avoid crossing the boundary via Lok Ma Chau during this period.  

    "If vehicles and travellers reach the Lok Ma Chau Control Point after noon on Sunday, it is very likely they will not be able to cross the boundary before the blast work starts," the spokesman said, "If it is absolutely necessary for travellers to cross the boundary during this period, they are advised to use Lo Wu or other land boundary control points."

    The Lok Ma Chau-Huanggang cross-boundary shuttle-bus service will stop operating from the San Tin Public Transport Interchange from noon on Sunday. The Transport Department will arrange for a special KMB bus (No 73S) to run from the San Tin Public Transport Interchange to the KCR Sheung Shui Station to serve cross-boundary passengers who wish to travel by rail via the Lo Wu Control Point.

    The schedules of the franchised buses and green minibuses travelling to the San Tin Public Transport Interchange will be adjusted accordingly. In addition, the Transport Department advised operators of cross-boundary coach services, including the six short-haul coach routes terminating at Huanggang, and cross-boundary hire cars to arrange for vehicles to avoid the Lok Ma Chau Control Point as far as possible during the affected period.

    "Traffic in the vicinity of various land boundary control points, including the Lok Ma Chau Control Point, would be congested on that day. Motorists are requested to be patient and follow the instructions of traffic police on site and traffic signs," the spokesman added, "Members of the public are advised to take heed of the latest developments through the electronic media."

    If the demolition blast work cannot proceed as scheduled because of unforeseen circumstances, such as bad weather, the Government will announce the news on radio and television. Members of the public are advised to pay attention to the broadcast.

Ends/Saturday, May 21, 2005