Traffic on Friday normal for cross harbour

    On May 6, from midnight to 3pm, the number of vehicles using the Cross Harbour Tunnel (CHT) dropped by 2%, a fall of about 160 vehicles and the number of vehicles using Western Harbour Crossing (WHC) dropped by around 3%, a fall of about 81 vehicles compared with a normal Friday.

    Meanwhile, the number of vehicles using the EHC dropped by around 23%, a fall of about 1,046 vehicles. The total number of vehicles using the three cross-harbour tunnels dropped by 9% (1,287 fewer vehicles).

    A Transport Department spokesman said the department would continue to monitor the traffic, especially cross-harbour traffic and keep on reviewing its contingency arrangements and make necessary adjustments if required.

    "The department's Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre would maintain close communications with the Police Force, franchised bus companies and management companies of tunnels and respond promptly if needed," the spokesman said.

    He stressed that traffic might increase when more goods vehicles gradually resumed their usual services, especially early next week when the Mainland's Golden Week holidays finished.

    The department appealed to members of the public to continue to:

* plan their trips early, allow more time for travel and choose the most suitable route;

* pay attention to the weather and check traffic conditions by listening to radio/TV broadcasts or by visiting the Transport Department website before starting their journey;

* allow more time to travel to examination centres when attending public examinations;

* use public transport, in particular the Mass Transit Railway (MTR) and Kowloon-Canton Railway (KCR), as far as possible;

* avoid using the CHT during peak hours and use alternate routes when serious congestion along major roads to the CHT occurs;

* be patient and comply with directions given by frontline Police officers.   

    Members of the public may call 1823 for enquiries.

Ends/Friday, May 6, 2005