Public opinion sought on Nathan Road (Mong Kok Section) Safety Improvement Plan (with photo)

     The Transport Department is launching a month-long public consultation on a plan to improve the road safety of the section of Nathan Road between Waterloo Road and Mongkok Road (Mong Kok Section).

     Speaking at a press briefing to explain the background of the consultation, Senior Engineer of the department, Mr Chau Sau-ming, said that the accident rate on the Mong Kok section of Nathan Road had remained persistently high.

     Three different improvement concepts had been developed for further consideration, Mr Chau said.

The three concepts are:

1. To carry out further improvement at critical junctions, such as those at Shantung Street and Argyle Street, which can lower the accident rate by 10%. However, the Transport Department can only expand part of the roadside pavements and implement some traffic management measures,

2. To ban motorcycles, private cars and goods vehicles from entering that section of Nathan Road, which can lower the accident rate by 25%. Hence, some of the pavement can be expanded which results in lower traffic flow.

3. To ban all vehicles except buses from entering that section of Nathan Road, which can lower the accident rate by 40%. This concept can turn the whole section of Nathan Road from a three-lane to two-lane traffic, thus both sides of the pavement can be fully extended.

     The bus-only concept (the third concept) is technically feasible according to a recent study commissioned by the department. Under this concept, there is also an option of either full-time or part-time (from 7am to 11pm).

     Members of the public are invited to attend a public forum to be held by the department at 7pm on November 25 at the Mong Kok Community Hall, L2, Mong Kok Complex, 557 Shanghai Street, Mong Kok.

     The consultation digest is available at Transport Department website www.td.gov.hk. Hard copies are also available at the Public Enquiry Service Centre, Yau Tsim Mong District Office, G/F, Mong Kok Government Offices, 30 Luen Wan Street, Mong Kok, Kowloon.

Members of the public can return their comments to the department before November 30 by
* Post: Transport Department, 8/F, Mong Kok Government Offices, Luen Wan Street, Mong Kok, Kowloon
* Fax: 2397 8046
* Webpage: www.mva.com.hk/nathan/digest.htm

     Mr Chau said that based on the feedback, the most appropriate concept would be selected. "Any selected concept will be implemented in stages and necessary trials will be carried out to ensure public acceptance," he said.

Ends/Monday, October 31, 2005
Issued at HKT 17:13