Author Archives: hksar gov

     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, on the arrangements for switching off analogue television (TV) services today (February 11):
 
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development: The formal switching off of analogue TV services will begin on November 30, 2020, that means Hong Kong will enter into an era of full digital TV broadcast from December 1, 2020.

     This is in line with the global trend to have digital TV as the major broadcasting service. In so doing, we will not only improve the quality of reception, but also allow us to vacate the precious spectrum for other uses. In our plan, we intend to make use of the 160 MHz of spectrum vacated from the analogue TV for use by mobile telecommunications services, which essentially will relieve the existing congested indoor mobile hotspots, such as MTR stations. We hope this will be conducive to the overall telecom services delivery, as well as helping Hong Kong to move ahead with the smart city development initiative.
      
     According to our study (conducted in 2017), 90 per cent of our households have already been using digital TV. This high level of penetration means that by the time we switch off analogue TV services, the majority of households will not need to make any adjustment because they have been watching TV by way of digital services. For those who are still using analogue TV sets, what they need to do is to either switch to a digital TV set, or add a set-top box if they decide to keep the old TV set if it is functioning well.
 
     We also noticed that among those households who are still using analogue TV sets, some of them might be elderly people or people in low-income groups. We have a plan to give them some financial support for this switching. By middle of this year, we will be seeking funding from the Community Care Fund to launch a scheme to help those households in need to purchase either set-top boxes for their existing TVs or basic model digital TVs. We will discuss with the Secretariat of the Community Care Fund to work out a programme engaging non-governmental organisations to help us deal with the switching-off. We believe this will provide the needed service at a time when the switching-off is being materialised.
      
     All in all, it is a milestone that Hong Kong will move ahead to a full digital TV era, and at the same time, making use of this opportunity to vacate some precious spectrum for improving our telecom services. I am happy to take questions.
 
Reporter: For the spectrum that is not going to be used for improving indoor mobile telecom services, what will it be used for? And the second question, who will be the people now using analogue TV actually need the Government’s help to switch to another TV? Who will be the people eligible for the subsidy?
 
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development: Our intention is to use the spectrum vacated from the analogue TV for two different purposes. The first, and a more important one, is to use all these spectrum to improve the existing mobile telecom services, essentially indoor services, especially at the very congested sites such as MTR stations. The remaining will be put on reserve, in case there is any future need for digital broadcasting.
 
     As to who will be the recipients of our subsidy, for those who are still using the analogue TV, we are now giving a very long and advance notice to them. In the coming 21 months, they can take time to switch to either a digital TV set or add a set-top box to their existing TV set. We also recognise that among these households who are still using old TV sets, some of them might be in economic need for the switching off, and some might be elderly people. That is our intention and the reason why we have the plan to apply for funding from the Community Care Fund to help them. This will obviously include recipients of existing Government assistance schemes, plus those who are receiving assistance provided by the Community Care Fund. We will devise the scheme in conjunction with the Community Care Fund in identifying who are the people who might receive such assistance, and in this process, we will also engage non-governmental organisations to help us.
 
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) read more

     The Transport Department (TD) today (February 11) reminded the public that temporary road closures will be implemented in phases from 11.30pm this Saturday (February 16) to about 4pm this Sunday (February 17) to facilitate the holding of the Hong Kong Marathon 2019.
 
     This year, the 10-kilometre races will continue to be held on the Island Eastern Corridor (IEC) and the finishing point of the 10km races and the half and full marathon races will be located at Victoria Park.
 
     According to the arrangements for the races, both the east- and west-bound carriageways of the IEC between Victoria Park Road and Shau Kei Wan, and the Central-Wan Chai Bypass (CWB) linking to and from the IEC will be closed from 1.30am on Sunday, and traffic will be diverted to King’s Road and Shau Kei Wan Road. Traffic to and from the Eastern Harbour Crossing will be diverted to the Sai Wan Ho exit/entrance. Vehicles using the CWB will be diverted to Connaught Road Central, Harcourt Road and Gloucester Road. Depending on the progress of the races, the CWB will be partially re-opened in phases, for example, upon the anticipated re-opening of the IEC eastbound before noon, the portion of the CWB between Central and North Point will be re-opened. The Wan Chai North exits from and entrance to the CWB will be closed for most of the race time.
 
     For the half and full marathons, road closures and traffic diversions will be implemented in phases at various locations on Hong Kong Island, in Kowloon and the New Territories from 11.30pm on Saturday. The races will continue to start at Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui and make use of Nathan Road (from Tsim Sha Tsui to Argyle Street Section), Argyle Street, Cherry Street, Lin Cheung Road, West Kowloon Highway, Tsing Sha Highway, Stonecutters Bridge, Nam Wan Tunnel, Cheung Tsing Highway, Ting Kau Bridge, Cheung Tsing Highway, Cheung Tsing Tunnel, Tsing Kwai Highway, West Kowloon Highway, Western Harbour Crossing, Connaught Road West flyover, Man Po Street, Yiu Sing Street, Lung Wo Road, Road P2, Road A2, Expo Drive, Expo Drive East, Convention Avenue, Hung Hing Road, Marsh Road flyover, Lockhart Road, Percival Street, Hennessy Road, Yee Wo Street and Sugar Street, and will finish at Victoria Park.
 
     Due to the continuous use of Nathan Road northbound between Tsim Sha Tsui and Argyle Street, Nathan Road southbound between Tsim Sha Tsui and Gascoigne Road flyover and Argyle Street as race routes for the half and full marathons on Kowloon side this year, the road closure involving the Yau Tsim Mong area will be extensive. Traffic heading to and from the area (west of Nathan Road and south of Argyle Street) will be restricted to Prince Edward and Tsim Sha Tsui starting from 4am to about 10.15am on Sunday. Meanwhile, public transport services in Yau Tsim Mong area will be subject to extensive adjustments. Members of the public heading to Mong Kok West, Jordan and Tsim Sha Tsui are particularly advised to switch to using railway services.
 
     Similar to last year, Yee Woo Street eastbound in Causeway Bay will be closed and continue to be used as the race route. Public transport services operating along Yee Wo Street (North Point bound) will be diverted to other roads on the race day.
 
     Since the full marathon will use the Kowloon bound carriageways of Cheung Tsing Highway, Cheung Tsing Tunnel and Nam Wan Tunnel as the race route, vehicles from Lantau Link (Tsing Ma Bridge) to Kowloon will be diverted to use Tsing Yi North Coastal Road. It is anticipated that the traffic at North Lantau Highway, Tsing Ma Toll Plaza, Tsing Ma Bridge and the vicinity of North West Tsing Yi Interchange may be congested.
 
     The road closures will not affect vehicles from Hong Kong Island/Kowloon/New Territories East heading for the airport and Lantau Island. The Kowloon-bound tube of the Western Harbour Crossing will remain in operation. Due to the closure of Ting Kau Bridge (Kowloon bound), motorists travelling from New Territories West to the airport and Lantau Island via Tuen Mun Road or Tai Lam Tunnel will be diverted to use Tsuen Wan Road, Tsuen Tsing Interchange, Tsing Tsuen Road, Tsing Tsuen Bridge and Tsing Yi North Coastal Road heading for Tsing Ma Bridge.
 
     The Hong Kong-bound tube of the Western Harbour Crossing will be closed from 12.45am on Sunday until the end of the marathon races at the concerned road sections. Motorists heading for Hong Kong Island are advised to use other tunnels.
 
     In connection with the road closures for the marathon, about 240 bus routes and 40 green minibus routes will be diverted, truncated or suspended in phases from 11.30pm on Saturday until the re-opening of roads on Sunday. Affected bus routes include cross-harbour routes using the Eastern Harbour Crossing and the Western Harbour Crossing; routes on Hong Kong Island travelling along the IEC and in Central and Western district, Wan Chai and Causeway Bay areas; routes in Kowloon operating along Nathan Road, Arygle Street, Shanghai Street, Jordan Road and other major trunk roads in Yau Tsim Mong area; as well as routes operating via Ting Kau Bridge, Cheung Tsing Highway, Cheung Tsing Tunnel and Nam Wan Tunnel. The following bus termini will be suspended:
 

• Hong Kong Island: Tin Hau Station Public Transport Interchange, Expo Drive East Bus Terminus, Wan Chai North Temporary Public Transport Interchange, Central Ferry Piers Bus Terminus and Whitfield Road Bus Terminus.

 

• Kowloon: China Hong Kong City Public Transport Interchange and Mong Kok (Park Avenue) Bus Terminus.

 
     To enable participants to go to Tsim Sha Tsui or Victoria Park in Causeway Bay to prepare for the races, the first departures of nine rail lines of Mass Transit Railway services will start from 3.25am on Sunday gradually. Twenty-five special bus services will be operated for runners going to Tsim Sha Tsui or Causeway Bay.
 
     During the road closure period, bus stops, taxi stands, taxi pick-up/drop-off points, public light bus/green minibus stands, roadside parking spaces and private car parks within the closed roads and its vicinity, as well as the tram stop on Percival Street will be suspended.
 
     The terminus of the cross boundary coach service between Wan Chai and Huanggang at the Wan Chai North Temporary Public Transport Interchange will be suspended from 4.30am on Sunday until the re-opening of roads. A temporary terminus will be provided at Hennessy Road eastbound underneath O’Brien Road footbridge.
 
     The commencement time of the pedestrian precinct on Chater Road in Central as well as Lockhart Road, East Point Road and Great George Street in Causeway Bay will be postponed to 3pm on Sunday or upon the re-opening of the major roads on Hong Kong Island.
 
     Taxi and public light bus drivers who go to Wan Chai North for gasoline refilling are advised to take note of the road closures in the area.
 
     Members of the public and tourists heading for Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal, Airport Express Line (AEL) Hong Kong Station, AEL Kowloon Station, Hong Kong West Kowloon Station of the High Speed Rail, China Ferry Terminal (China Hong Kong City) or Ocean Terminal are advised to plan their journey early to avoid any delay caused by road closures and traffic diversions.
 
     The TD anticipates that the traffic at various locations on Hong Kong Island, in Kowloon and the New Territories will be more significantly congested when compared with normal Sundays, including:
 

• Hong Kong Island: Shau Kei Wan, Sai Wan Ho, North Point, Tin Hau, Causeway Bay, Wan Chai and Central Ferry Pier areas, including King’s Road, Shau Kei Wan Road, Victoria Park Road, Leighton Road, Hennessy Road, Gloucester Road, Queensway, Connaught Road Central, and Aberdeen Tunnel (Wan Chai bound);

 

• Kowloon: Yau Tsim Mong area including the vicinity of Nathan Road and Arygle Street, Wylie Road, Gascoigne Road flyover, West Kowloon Corridor and Cross Harbour Tunnel (both bounds), with the chance of long traffic queues along Gascoigne Road flyover and West Kowloon Corridor in particular being very high; and

 

• New Territories South: Kowloon bound Lantau Link and North West Tsing Yi Interchange.

     Motorists are advised to avoid driving to the above affected areas. In case of traffic congestion, motorists should exercise patience and drive with care, and follow the instructions of the Police on site.
 
     Members of the public should plan their journeys early and use alternative travelling routes to avoid unexpected delay, as well as take public transport services (particularly railway services) as far as possible. Public transport commuters are advised to pay attention to the arrangements of route diversion and changes of stop locations.
 
     Other ad-hoc traffic and public transport measures, including adjusting the extent of road closure, traffic diversion, alteration and suspension of public transport services may be implemented by the Police at short notice depending on the actual traffic and crowd conditions. The TD and the Police will closely monitor the traffic situation and implement appropriate measures whenever necessary. Members of the public are advised to stay alert to the latest traffic news through the media.
 
     For information about the special traffic and transport information, members of the public may call 1823 Call Centre, browse the TD’s website at www.td.gov.hk or make use of the TD’s “HKeMobility” mobile application.
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     Police will implement special traffic arrangements in New Territories South, Kowloon West and Hong Kong Island to facilitate the Hong Kong Marathon 2019 this Sunday (February 17).

New Territories South
———————

     The slip road leading from Tuen Mun Road to southbound Ting Kau Bridge will be closed from 11.30pm on February 16 to 1.15 pm the following day, or when it is safe to re-open the road.

     The following special traffic arrangements will be implemented from 11.45pm on February 16 to 1.15 pm the following day, or when it is safe to re-open the roads:

Road closure

(1) Southbound carriageways of Tsing Kwai Highway, Cheung Tsing Tunnel, Cheung Tsing Highway and Ting Kau Bridge;
(2) Exits from Lantau Link to southbound Cheung Tsing Highway; (3) The slip road leading from Tsing Yi South Bridge, Kwai Chung Road and Tsuen Wan Road to southbound Tsing Kwai Highway;
(4) Eastbound carriageways of Tsing Sha Highway between the access road of Cheung Tsing Tunnel and West Kowloon Highway, Stonecutters Bridge and Nam Wan Tunnel;
(5) The slip road leading from Tsing Yi Hong Wan Road to eastbound Stonecutters Bridge;
(6) The slip road leading from Container Port Road South to eastbound Tsing Sha Highway (Ngong Shuen Chau Viaduct);
(7) The slip road from Mei Ching Road leading to southbound West Kowloon Highway, except for vehicles leaving Container Port via Roundabout 6 to Mei Ching Road and Tsing Kwai Highway (New Territories bound);
(8) The Tsing Yi North West Interchange U-turn slip road leading from eastbound Tsing Yi North Coastal Road to westbound Tsing Yi North Coastal Road; and
(9)The slip road leading from southbound Cheung Tsing Highway to Tsing Yi Road West.

Traffic diversions

(1) Traffic from Lantau to Kowloon will be diverted via North West Tsing Yi Interchange, Tsing Yi North Coastal Road, Tsing Tsuen Road, Tsuen Wan Road, Kwai Chung Road, Cheung Sha Wan Road and Lai Chi Kok Road;
(2) Traffic from Ma Wan to Kowloon will be diverted via North West Tsing Yi Interchange, Tsing Yi North Coastal Road, Tsing Tsuen Road, Tsuen Wan Road, Kwai Chung Road, Cheung Sha Wan Road and Lai Chi Kok Road;
(3) Traffic from Tuen Mun Road and Tai Lam Tunnel intending to use Ting Kau Bridge to go to the Airport, Lantau and Ma Wan will be diverted via Tuen Mun Road, Tsuen Wan Road, Tsuen Tsing Interchange, Tsing Tsuen Road, Tsing Yi North Coastal Road and the slip road leading to Lantau Link before reaching Lantau Link (airport bound);
(4) Traffic from Tuen Mun Road and Tai Lam Tunnel intending to use Ting Kau Bridge to go to Kowloon will be diverted via Tuen Mun Road, Tsuen Wan Road, Kwai Chung Road, Cheung Sha Wan Road and Lai Chi Kok Road;
(5) Traffic from Tsing Yi South intending to use Tsing Sha Highway to go to Kowloon will be diverted via Tsing Yi Road, Kwai Tsing Road, Kwai Tsing Interchange, Tsuen Wan Road, Kwai Chung Road, Cheung Sha Wan Road and Lai Chi Kok Road; and
(6) Traffic from Kwai Chung Container Port intending to use Tsing Sha Highway to go to Kowloon will be diverted via Container Port Road South, Hing Wah Street West and Lai Po Road.
     
     The above road closures will not affect traffic from Kowloon or New Territories East via Route 3 or Route 8 to various destinations, including the Airport, the Lantau, Ma Wan and New Territories West.


Kowloon West
————

A. Road closure and traffic diversions

     The following special traffic arrangements will be implemented by phases on February 17 until the roads are safe for re-opening :

Phase I (from 12.45am)

Road closure

(1) Southbound West Kowloon Highway between Mei Ching Interchange and Western Harbour Crossing;
(2) The slip road from northbound Lin Cheung Road leading to southbound West Kowloon Highway;
(3) The slip road from southbound Lin Cheung Road leading to West Kowloon Highway heading to Tsim Sha Tsui;
(4) The slip road from northbound Hoi Wang Road leading to southbound West Kowloon Highway; and
(5) The first lane of the lowest level underpass between westbound Austin Road West and exit of northbound Lin Cheung Road.

Traffic diversions

(1) Traffic along northbound Lin Cheung Road cannot turn to the slip road leading to southbound West Kowloon Highway;
(2) Traffic along southbound Lin Cheung Road will be diverted to the slip road heading to Tsim Sha Tsui;
(3) Traffic along Hoi Wang Road cannot turn to the slip road leading to southbound West Kowloon Highway;
(4) Traffic along westbound Ngo Cheung Road cannot turn to the slip road leading to southbound West Kowloon Highway; and
(5) Traffic along Mei Ching Road roundabout cannot turn to the slip road leading to southbound West Kowloon Highway.

Phase II (from 1.40am)

Road closure

(1) Northbound Nathan Road between Salisbury Road and Austin Road;
(2) Southbound Nathan Road between westbound Kimberley Road and Middle Road;
(3) Westbound Kimberley Road between Nathan Road and Carnarvon Road;
(4) Westbound Granville Road between Nathan Road and Carnarvon Road;
(5) Eastbound Cameron Road between Nathan Road and Cameron Lane;
(6) Humphreys Road;
(7) Mody Road between Nathan Road and Bristol Avenue;
(8) Haiphong Road between Lock Road and Nathan Road;
(9) Peking Road between Lock Road and Nathan Road;
(10) Middle Road between Hankow Road and Nathan Road;
(11) Underpass of Salisbury Road at the junction with Chatham Road South; and
(12) Carnarvon Road between Nathan Road and Bristol Avenue.

Traffic diversions

(1) Traffic along Salisbury Road cannot turn to northbound Nathan Road;
(2) Traffic along southbound Nathan Road will be diverted to eastbound Kimberley Road;
(3) Traffic along northbound Carnarvon Road cannot turn left to westbound Kimberley Road and westbound Granville Road;
(4) Traffic along eastbound Haiphong Road will be diverted to southbound Lock Road;
(5) Franchised buses along southbound Nathan Road must turn right to westbound Jordan Road; and
(6) Traffic along westbound Salisbury Road cannot enter the underpass near Chatham Road South.

Phase III (from 2.30am)  

Road closure

(1) The slip road from eastbound Lai Po Road leading to southbound Lin Cheung Road;
(2) The slip road from westbound Tsing Sha Highway leading to southbound Lin Cheung Road heading to Tsim Sha Tsui;
(3) Southbound Lin Cheung Road between Lai Po Road and Hoi Fai Road;
(4) Southbound Lin Cheung Road from Tonkin Street West heading to Yau Ma Tei; and
(5) Westbound Yen Chow Street West between Sham Mong Road and Lin Cheung Road.

Traffic diversions

(1) Traffic along eastbound Lai Po Road cannot turn left to the slip road heading to southbound Lin Cheung Road;
(2) Traffic along westbound Tsing Sha Highway will be diverted to the slip road of southbound Lin Cheung Road heading to Cheung Sha Wan;
(3) Traffic along eastbound Tonkin Street West cannot turn right to southbound Lin Cheung Road heading to Yau Ma Tei;
(4) Traffic along southbound Lin Cheung Road must turn to southbound Lin Cheung Road heading to Sham Shui Po after passing the junction of Tonkin Street West;
(5) Traffic along westbound Tonkin Street West cannot turn left to southbound Lin Cheung Road heading to Yau Ma Tei;
(6) Traffic along northbound Sham Mong Road cannot turn left to westbound Yen Chow Street West;
(7) Traffic along southbound Sham Mong Road cannot turn right to westbound Yen Chow Street West; and
(8) Traffic along westbound Yen Chow Street West cannot turn to the slip road heading to southbound Lin Cheung Road.

Phase IV (from 4am)

Road closure

(1) Southbound Kowloon Park Drive between Canton Road and Salisbury Road;
(2) Ashley Road;
(3) Hankow Road;
(4) Lock Road;
(5) Haiphong Road between Canton Road and Lock Road;
(6) Ichang Street;
(7) Peking Road between Kowloon Park Drive and Lock Road;
(8) Middle Road between Kowloon Park Drive and Hankow Road;
(9) Southbound Nathan Road between Salisbury Road and Middle Road;
(10) Middle Road between Nathan Road and Salisbury Road;
(11) Westbound Argyle Street between Nathan Road and Tong Mi Road, except the following lanes:
     – The first lane of westbound Argyle Street between Portland Street and Shanghai Street;
     – The fifth lane of westbound Argyle Street between Shanghai Street and Reclamation Street; and
     – The first lane of westbound Argyle Street between Reclamation Street and Tong Mi Road.
(12) Westbound Cherry Street between Tong Mi Road and Lin Cheung Road, except the following lanes:
     – The first lane of westbound Cherry Street between Tong Mi Road and Hoi Wang Road; and
     – The third and fourth lanes of westbound Cherry Street between Hoi Wang Road and Cherry Street Underpass.
(13)Southbound Lin Cheung Road starting from Hoi Fai Road roundabout;
(14) Southbound Hong Lok Street between Argyle Street and Fife Street; and
(15) Northbound Hoi Wang Road between Hoi Ting Road and Cherry Street.

Traffic diversions

(1) Traffic along southbound Canton Road cannot turn left to eastbound Haiphong Road;
(2) Traffic along northbound Kowloon Park Drive cannot turn right to eastbound Peking Road;
(3) Traffic along eastbound Salisbury Road cannot turn left to northbound Hankow Road;
(4) Traffic along eastbound Salisbury Road cannot turn left to northbound Middle Road;
(5) Traffic along westbound Argyle Street must turn to Nathan Road;
(6) Traffic along the first lane of westbound Argyle Street must turn left to southbound Shanghai Street;
(7) Traffic along southbound Shanghai Street must turn right to the fifth lane of westbound Argyle Street;
(8) Traffic along the first lane of westbound Argyle Street must turn left to southbound Tong Mi Road;
(9) Traffic along southbound Tong Mi Road must turn left to eastbound Argyle Street;
(10) Traffic along northbound Reclamation Street must turn left to westbound Argyle Street;
(11) Traffic along northbound Tong Mi Road must turn left to westbound Cherry Street;
(12) Traffic along westbound Cherry Street must turn left to southbound Hoi Wang Road;
(13) Traffic along eastbound Hoi Ting Road cannot turn left to northbound Hoi Wang Road;
(14) Traffic along westbound Hoi Ting Road cannot turn right to northbound Hoi Wang Road;
(15) Traffic along northbound Hoi Wang Road must turn left to westbound Hoi Ting Road;
(16) Traffic along southbound Tai Kok Tsui Road cannot go straight to southbound Hoi Wang Road;
(17) Traffic along westbound Cherry Street cannot turn left to southbound Lin Cheung Road;
(18) Traffic along westbound Hoi Fai Road cannot turn left to southbound Lin Cheung Road;
(19) Traffic along Hoi Fai Road Interchange cannot turn to southbound Lin Cheung Road;
(20) Traffic along southbound Hong Lok Street must turn right to westbound Fife Street;
(21) Traffic along southbound Tong Mi Road must turn left to eastbound Bute Street; and
(22) Traffic along eastbound Anchor Street must go straight to eastbound Mong Kok Road.

Phase V (from 4.45am)

Road closure

(1) Southbound Nathan Road between Gascoigne Road and Kimberley Road;
(2) Northbound Nathan Road between Austin Road and Argyle Street;
(3) Eastbound Kimberley Road between Nathan Road and Carnarvon Road;
(4) Eastbound Austin Road between Pilkem Street and Cox’s Road;
(5) Westbound Austin Road between Cox’s Road and Nathan Road;
(6) Hillwood Road;
(7) Pine Tree Hill Road;
(8) Tak Shing Street between Nathan Road and Tak Hing Street;
(9) Tak Hing Street;
(10) Bowring Street between Pilkem Street and Nathan Road;
(11) Westbound Jordan Road between Cox’s Road and Pilkem Street;
(12) Eastbound Jordan Road between Parkes Street and Chi Wo Street;
(13) Chi Wo Street between Gascoigne Road and Nanking Street;
(14) Ning Po Street between Parkes Street and Chi Wo Street;
(15) Mau Lam Street;
(16) Eastbound Pak Hoi Street between Woosung Street and Nathan Road;
(17) Westbound Pak Hoi Street between Chi Wo Street and Nathan Road;
(18) Kansu Street between Nathan Road and Temple Street;
(19) Westbound Gascoigne Road between Jordan Road and Nathan Road;
(20) Public Square Street between Nathan Road and Arthur Street;
(21) Wing Sing Lane between Arthur Street and Nathan Road;
(22) Man Ming Lane between Nathan Road and Arthur Street;
(23) Eastbound Waterloo Road between Portland Street and Nathan Road;
(24) Hamilton Street between Portland Street and Nathan Road;
(25) Eastbound Dundas Street between Portland Street and Nathan Road; and
(26) Eastbound Changsha Street between Portland Street and Nathan Road.

Traffic diversions

(1) Traffic along northbound Carnarvon Road must turn right to eastbound Kimberley Road;
(2) Traffic along westbound Austin Road must turn right to northbound Cox’s Road;
(3) Traffic along eastbound Austin Road must turn left to northbound Pilkem Street;
(4) Traffic along southbound Cox’s Road must turn left to eastbound Austin Road;
(5) Traffic along northbound Cox’s Road must turn right to eastbound Jordan Road;
(6) Traffic along northbound Pilkem Street cannot turn right to eastbound Bowring Street;
(7) Traffic along westbound Jordan Road must turn left to southbound Cox’s Road;
(8) Traffic along eastbound Jordan Road must turn left to northbound Parkes Street;
(9) Traffic along northbound Parkes Street cannot turn right to eastbound Ning Po Street;
(10) Traffic along eastbound Pak Hoi Street must turn right to southbound Woosung Street;
(11) Traffic along southbound Woosung Street cannot turn left to Pak Hoi Street;
(12) Traffic along westbound Gascoigne Road must turn left to westbound Jordan Road;
(13) Traffic along southbound Queen Elizabeth Hospital Road cannot turn right to westbound Gascoigne Road;
(14) Traffic along southbound Nathan Road must turn left to eastbound Gascoigne Road;
(15) Arthur Street between Public Square Street and Wing Sing Lane will be re-routed one-way southbound. Traffic along Arthur Street must turn right to westbound Public Square Street;
(16) Traffic along southbound Arthur Street cannot turn left to eastbound Wing Sing Lane;
(17) Traffic along westbound Waterloo Road must turn left to southbound Nathan Road;
(18) Traffic along eastbound Waterloo Road must turn left to Portland Street;
(19) Traffic along eastbound Hamilton Street must turn left to northbound Portland Street;
(20) Traffic along northbound Portland Street cannot turn right to eastbound Hamilton Street;
(21) Traffic along eastbound Dundas Street must turn left to northbound Portland Street;
(22) Traffic along northbound Portland Street cannot turn right to eastbound Dundas Street; and
(23) Traffic along northbound Portland Street cannot turn right to eastbound Changsha Street.

B. Suspension of on-street parking spaces
     
     On-street parking spaces on the following streets will be suspended from 12.01am to 12 noon:

(1) Kimberley Road between Carnarvon Road and Observatory Road; and
(2) Arthur Street between Wing Sing Lane and Public Square Street.

     All vehicles parked in a way causing obstruction will be towed away.

Hong Kong Island
—————-

10 Km Race
———-

     Depending on the race time or when the situation warrants, the following special traffic arrangements will be implemented in phases:

A. Road closure and traffic diversions

Phase I

From 1.30am to about 10.15am

Road closure

(1) Eastbound Island Eastern Corridor between eastbound Victoria Park Road and Tung Hei Road slip road;
(2) The slip roads of Hing Fat Street, Man Hong Street and Taikoo Wan Road leading to eastbound Island Eastern Corridor;
(3) The slip roads leading from the exit of Eastern Harbour Crossing to eastbound Island Eastern Corridor;
(4) The slip road from Road P2 to Central-Wan Chai Bypass; and
(5) Eastbound Central-Wan Chai Bypass between Wan Chai and Island Eastern Corridor.

From 1.30am to about 11.15am

Road closure

(1) Westbound Island Eastern Corridor between Tung Hei Road slip road and westbound Victoria Park Road;
(2) The slip roads of Nam On Street, Chai Wan Road, Tai Hong Street, Oi Shun Road, Hong On Street, Taikoo Wan Road, westbound King’s Road junction with Healthy Street Central, Tong Shui Road and Wharf Road leading to westbound Island Eastern Corridor;
(3) The slip roads leading from the exit of Eastern Harbour Crossing to westbound Island Eastern Corridor, except for the section up to the down ramp slip road leading to Man Hong Street; and
(4) Westbound Central-Wan Chai Bypass between Island Eastern Corridor and Tsing Fung Street.

Traffic diversions

(1) Traffic along eastbound Victoria Park Road and Hing Fat Street heading for eastbound Island Eastern Corridor and Eastern Harbour Crossing will be diverted via Gordon Road, Electric Road and Java Road;
(2) Traffic along eastbound Road P2 heading for eastbound Island Eastern Corridor and Eastern Harbour Crossing will be diverted via Expo Drive East, Fleming Road, Gloucester Road, Gordon Road, Electric Road and Java Road;
(3) Traffic along Java Road and Man Hong Street heading for eastbound Island Eastern Corridor and Eastern Harbour Crossing will be diverted via King’s Road;
(4) Traffic along Taikoo Wan Road heading for eastbound Island Eastern Corridor will be diverted via King’s Road and Shau Kei Wan Road;
(5) Traffic along Java Road and eastbound King’s Road can access to Eastern Harbour Crossing via Hong On Street;
(6) Traffic from the exit of Eastern Harbour Crossing heading for eastbound Island Eastern Corridor will be diverted via Tai On Street and Shau Kei Wan Road;
(7) Traffic along westbound Island Eastern Corridor will be diverted via Nam On Lane and Shau Kei Wan Road;
(8) Traffic along Nam On Lane and Nam Hong Street heading for westbound Island Eastern Corridor will be diverted via westbound Nam On Street, Sun Sing Street and Shau Kei Wan Road;
(9) Traffic along Chai Wan Road heading for westbound Island Eastern Corridor will be diverted to Shau Kei Wan Road;
(10) Traffic diverted to westbound Shau Kei Wan Road can access to Eastern Harbour Crossing via Tai Ning Street, Sai Wan Ho Street and Tai Hong Street;
(11) Traffic along Tai Hong Street will only be allowed for access to Eastern Harbour Crossing and Lei King Wan. Traffic heading for westbound Island Eastern Corridor will be diverted via Tai Hong Street, Hong Cheung Street, Tai On Street and Shau Kei Wan Road;
(12) Traffic along westbound Oi Shun Road heading for westbound Island Eastern Corridor will be diverted via Oi Yee Street, Hing Man Street and Shau Kei Wan Road;
(13) Traffic along Hong On Street will only be allowed for access to and from Eastern Harbour Crossing. Traffic heading for westbound Island Eastern Corridor will be diverted via westbound Hong On Street and King’s Road. Traffic along Hong Yue Street will be diverted via westbound Hong On Street, except for vehicles heading for Eastern Harbour Crossing;
(14) Traffic along Taikoo Wan Road slip road heading for westbound Island Eastern Corridor will be diverted via Taikoo Shing Road and King’s Road;
(15) Traffic from the exit of Eastern Harbour Crossing heading for westbound Island Eastern Corridor will be diverted via Man Hong Street and King’s Road (until 4.30am);
(16) Traffic at the junction of westbound King’s Road and Healthy Street Central slip road heading for westbound Island Eastern Corridor will be diverted via westbound King’s Road;
(17) Traffic at the junction of westbound King’s Road and Tong Shui Road slip road heading for westbound Island Eastern Corridor will be diverted via westbound King’s Road;
(18) Traffic along Tong Shui Road heading for westbound Island Eastern Corridor will be diverted via Java Road, Kam Hong Street and King’s Road; and
(19) Traffic along Wharf Road slip road heading for westbound Island Eastern Corridor will be diverted via westbound Wharf Road, North Point Road, Java Road, Tong Shui Road and King’s Road.

Phase II (from 3.45am to about 8.45am)

Road closure

(1) Hing Fat Street between Causeway Road and Victoria Park Road;
(2) Electric Road between Yacht Street and Park Towers;
(3) Lau Li Street between Hing Fat Street and Electric Road; and
(4) Tsing Fung Street between Hing Fat Street and Electric Road.

Traffic diversions

(1) Traffic along eastbound Causeway Road heading for Hing Fat Street will be diverted via eastbound King’s Road;
(2) Traffic along westbound King’s Road heading for Hing Fat Street will be diverted via westbound Causeway Road;
(3) Traffic along southbound Electric Road must turn left to Yacht Street, except for vehicles accessing to Park Towers;
(4) Vehicles leaving from Park Towers car park will be diverted via Electric Road and Yacht Street;
(5) Traffic along Electric Road heading for Tsing Fung Street will be diverted via Yacht Street; and
(6) Traffic along southbound Hing Fat Street must turn left to eastbound Gordon Road.

Phase III (from 4.30am to about 10.45am)

Road closure

(1) Westbound Victoria Park Road between the down ramp of westbound Island Eastern Corridor and westbound Gloucester Road, except the slow lane leading to Gloucester Road service road and the second slow lane leading to westbound Gloucester Road;
(2) The flyover leading from northbound Gloucester Road to westbound Gloucester Road; and
(3) Westbound Island Eastern Corridor between the exit of Eastern Harbour Crossing and the down ramp slip road leading to Man Hong Street (until about 10.15am).

Traffic diversions

(1) Traffic along Tsing Fung Street flyover will be diverted via the remaining lanes of westbound Victoria Park Road or the slip road leading to westbound Central–Wan Chai Bypass;
(2) Traffic along northbound Gloucester Road flyover heading for westbound Gloucester Road will be diverted via Gloucester Road service road; and
(3) During the closure of Man Hong Street slip road, traffic from the exit of Eastern Harbour Crossing heading for westbound Island Eastern Corridor will be diverted via Hong On Street or Tai On Street, Shau Kei Wan Road and King’s Road.

Phase IV (from 4.30am to about 2pm)

Road closure

(1) Northbound Gloucester Road between the U-turn slip road beneath Tai Hang Road flyover and Great George Street;
(2) Southbound Gloucester Road between Gloucester Road service road and Causeway Road (access to southbound Tai Hang Road flyover is allowed after 10.45am);
(3) Sugar Street;
(4) Paterson Street between Kingston Street and Gloucester Road will be intermittently closed;
(5) Cleveland Street will be intermittently closed; and
(6) Eastbound Kingston Street between Gloucester Road and Paterson Street will be intermittently closed.    

Traffic diversions

(1) Traffic along southbound Victoria Park Road flyover will be diverted via Gloucester Road service road (access to southbound Tai Hang Road flyover is allowed from 10.45am);
(2) Traffic along eastbound Yee Wo Street cannot turn left to Sugar Street;
(3) Traffic along northbound Tai Hang Road flyover will be diverted via northbound Gloucester Road and Gloucester Road service road; and
(4) Traffic along Great George Street heading for southbound Gloucester Road will be diverted to southbound Tai Hang Road flyover.

B. Suspension of parking spaces

(1) All parking spaces at Hing Fat Street Public Car Park will be suspended from 10pm on February 16 to 3pm the following day, except for disabled parking spaces;
(2) All on-street parking spaces at eastbound Lockhart Road between Marsh Road and Percival Street will be suspended from 12.01am to 3pm on February 17;
(3) Disabled parking spaces on Gloucester Road near Sugar Street will be suspended from 12.01am to 3pm on February 17; and
(4) All on-street metered parking spaces and motorcycle parking spaces on Tung Lo Wan Road between Lin Fa Kung Street West and King’s Road will be suspended from 3am to 10am on February 17.

Half Marathon and Full Marathon
——————————-

     Depending on the race time or when the situation warrants, the following special traffic arrangements will be implemented in phases:

A. Road closure and traffic diversions

Phase I (from 1.30am to about 1.15pm)

Road closure

(1)Eastbound Connaught Road West flyover between Shing Sai Road and Rumsey Street;
(2) Man Po Street;
(3) Yiu Sing Street;
(4) Eastbound Lung Wo Road;
(5) The slip roads leading from Connaught Road West flyover to Man Po Street;
(6) Eastbound Central-Wan Chai Bypass between Central and Wan Chai;
(7) The slip roads leading from Man Kat Street and Connaught Road West flyover to Central-Wan Chai Bypass;
(8) Eastbound Road P2;
(9) Eastbound Convention Avenue between Road P2 and Expo Drive East;
(10) Expo Drive;
(11) Expo Drive Central;
(12) The left-turn slip road from Convention Avenue to northbound Expo Drive East; and
(13) Expo Drive East north of the U-turn slip road from northbound Expo Drive East to southbound Expo Drive East.

Traffic diversions

(1) Traffic along northbound Hill Road flyover will be diverted via eastbound Connaught Road West at-grade;
(2) Traffic along eastbound Shing Sai Road will be diverted via eastbound Connaught Road West;
(3) Traffic along Man Yiu Street cannot turn left to eastbound Lung Wo Road;
(4) Traffic along Man Yiu Street cannot turn left to eastbound Yiu Sing Street;
(5) Traffic along eastbound Lung Wui Road will be diverted via westbound Lung Wo Road; and
(6) Traffic along eastbound Connaught Road West flyover heading for eastbound Central-Wan Chai Bypass, eastbound Island Eastern Corridor and Eastern Harbour Crossing will be diverted via eastbound Connaught Road West at-grade, eastbound Connaught Road Central at-grade, Man Kat Street, Connaught Road Central, Gloucester Road, Victoria Park Road, Gordon Road, Electric Road and Java Road.

Phase II (from 4.30am to about 1.15pm)

Road closure

(1) Man Kwong Street;
(2) Man Fai Street;
(3) Eastbound Chung Kong Road between Shun Tak Centre and Rumsey Street;
(4) Southbound Man Yiu Street between Man Kwong Street and Lung Wo Road; and
(5) Northbound Man Yiu Street between Man Po Street and Man Kwong Street.

Traffic diversions

(1) Traffic along eastbound Chung Kong Road will be diverted via Connaught Road Central;
(2) Traffic along eastbound Connaught Road Central cannot turn left to Man Kwong Street; and
(3) Traffic along northbound Man Yiu Street will be diverted via westbound Finance Street.

Phase III (from 4.30am to about 2pm)

Road closure

(1) Convention Avenue between Fleming Road and Tonnochy Road;
(2) Hung Hing Road between Wan Shing Street and Tonnochy Road;
(3) Eastbound Harbour Road between Harbour Drive and Tonnochy Road;
(4) Tonnochy Road between Hung Hing Road and Harbour Road;
(5) Southbound Tonnochy Road between Harbour Road and Gloucester Road;
(6) Marsh Road flyover between Hung Hing Road and Lockhart Road;
(7) Northbound Marsh Road between Hung Hing Road and Gloucester Road;
(8) Eastbound Lockhart Road between Marsh Road and Percival Street;
(9) Southbound Percival Street between Lockhart Road and Hennessy Road;
(10) The fast lane of Percival Street between Jaffe Road and Lockhart Road;
(11) Southbound Canal Road East between Lockhart Road and Jaffe Road;
(12) Northbound Canal Road West between Lockhart Road and Jaffe Road;
(13) Southbound Marsh Road between Lockhart Road and Jaffe Road;
(14) Marsh Road between Lockhart Road and Hennessy Road;
(15) Eastbound Hennessy Road between Percival Street and Yee Wo Street; and
(16) Eastbound Yee Wo Street.

Traffic diversions

(1) Traffic along northbound Fleming Road cannot turn right to eastbound Convention Avenue and will be diverted via  southbound Fleming Road or westbound Convention Avenue;
(2) Traffic along northbound Tonnochy Road flyover must turn left to westbound Harbour Road;
(3) Traffic along southbound Fleming Road cannot turn left to eastbound Harbour Road;
(4) Traffic along eastbound Harbour Road must turn left to northbound Fleming Road;
(5) Traffic leaving from car parks along eastbound Harbour Road must turn right to westbound Harbour Road;
(6) Traffic along northbound Harbour Drive must turn left to westbound Harbour Road;
(7) Wan Shing Street between Hung Hing Road and Wan Ying Street will be re-routed to one-way northbound;
(8) Traffic along northbound Wan Shing Street must turn right to Hung Hing Road flyover;
(9) Wan Ying Street will be re-routed to one-way eastbound;
(10) Traffic along northbound Marsh Road will be diverted via Gloucester Road service road or turn to southbound Marsh Road for access to Jaffe Road;
(11) Traffic along eastbound Lockhart Road will be diverted via northbound Marsh Road at-grade;
(12) Traffic along eastbound Jaffe Road will be diverted via northbound Percival Street;
(13) Traffic along southbound Percival Street will be diverted via eastbound Lockhart Road;
(14) Traffic along eastbound Hennessy Road cannot turn left to Marsh Road;
(15) Traffic along Tin Lok Lane cannot go straight to northbound Marsh Road and must turn to Hennessy Road; and
(16) Traffic along eastbound Hennessy Road heading for Causeway Road will be diverted via southbound Percival Street, Leighton Road, Pennington Street and eastbound Yee Wo Street.

B. Pedestrian precinct

     The following pedestrian precincts will remain open to traffic until 3pm or when all major road closures on Hong Kong Island are re-opened:

(1) Chater Road pedestrian precinct;
(2) Pedestrian precinct at Lockhart Road between Cannon Street and East Point Road;
(3) East Point Road pedestrian precinct; and
(4) Pedestrian precinct at Great George Street between East Point Road and Paterson Street.

C. Suspension of parking spaces

     Parking spaces at the following locations will be suspended from 12.01am to 3pm:

(1) Lung King Street;
(2) Coach parking spaces on Expo Drive East;
(3) Jaffe Road between Percival Street and Cannon Street; and
(4) Motorcycle parking spaces on Marsh Road between Lockhart Road and Hennessy Road.

     Parking spaces at the general pick-up/drop-off and loading/unloading area on Lung Wo Road north of Star Ferry Multi-Storey Car Park will be suspended from 12 noon to 4.30pm.

     Actual implementation of traffic arrangements will be made depending on traffic and crowd conditions in the areas. Members of the public are advised to exercise tolerance and patience and take heed of instructions of the Police on site. read more

     The Customs and Excise Department (C&ED) mounted a special operation codenamed “Pathfinder” before and during the Lunar New Year at the airport, seaport, land boundary, railway and ferry control points in a bid to combat smuggling and other illegal activities through passenger and cargo channels.

     In the 27-day operation that started on January 14 and concluded on February 9, the C&ED detected a total of 1 300 cases with the arrest of 1 203 persons, resulting in the seizure of items with an estimated value of about $130 million.

     On the anti-narcotics front, 61 dangerous drug cases were detected, resulting in the arrest of 28 persons and seizure of about 130 kilograms of suspected dangerous drugs with an estimated market value of about $22 million. Most of the seized items were methamphetamine (commonly known as “ice”), cannabis, cocaine and gamma-butyrolactone, which were found mainly in air parcels and on air passengers.

     The C&ED also detected cases that led to the seizure of infringing products with an approximate value of $540,000. Other smuggled goods of various kinds including frozen meat, mobile phone accessories and bird nest, valued at about $15 million were also seized.

     Customs officers also detected 146 smuggling cases involving suspected endangered species including pangolin scales, ivory tusks and products, red sandalwood logs, orchids and controlled shark fins, with an estimated seizure value of about $73 million. Customs officers also seized about 220 kg of game, meat and poultry and about 600 poultry eggs that were imported into Hong Kong without a health certificate. These cases were handed over to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department for follow-up.

     During the special operation, Customs officers seized about 5.3 million suspected illicit cigarettes and 98 litres of dutiable liquor with an estimated market value of about $15.5 million at various control points. A total of 967 persons were arrested.

     A spokesman for the C&ED said, “Hong Kong Customs has all along adopted a zero-tolerance approach against cross-boundary smuggling activities. Apart from strengthening deployment and making stringent enforcement actions during the festive period, Customs officers will be equally vigilant in combating smuggling activities through risk assessment and intelligence analysis in their routine operation.”

     Members of the public may report any suspected drug and smuggling activities to the Customs’ 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).  

read more

      The Labour Department (LD) is highly concerned about a work accident that happened in Tai Po yesterday (February 10) night, in which a male worker who was engaged in street light cleaning work, while positioned on a moving lorry-mounted elevated work platform, became trapped on the work platform and sustained a head injury. He was later certified dead in hospital. The LD is saddened by the death of the worker and expresses its deepest sympathy to his family.
 
      The LD’s spokesman said, “We commenced immediate on-site investigation as soon as we were notified of the accident. We issued suspension notices to the contractors involved to suspend the use of lorry-mounted elevated working platforms for street light installation and maintenance, including cleaning works. The contractors cannot resume the work process until the LD is satisfied that measures to abate the relevant risks have been taken.
 
      “We will complete the investigation as soon as possible to identify the cause of the accident, ascertain the liability of the duty holders and recommend improvement measures. We will take actions pursuant to the law if there was any violation of work safety legislation.”
 
      The general duty provisions of the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance require employers to provide safe working environments, safe plant and safe systems of work for their employees. Those who contravene the above provisions are liable to a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for six months.
 
      In regard to yesterday’s accident, the LD will issue a Work Safety Alert through its website and email, giving a brief account of the accident to duty holders, workers’ unions, professional bodies of safety practitioners and others, and reminding the industry of the importance of following safety precautionary measures to prevent recurrence of similar accidents.
 
      The LD will also remind the employer concerned of the liability for employees’ compensation under the Employees’ Compensation Ordinance as well as giving assistance to family members of the deceased to claim employees’ compensation. The LD will closely follow up on the case. For those with financial difficulties, the LD will assist them to apply for appropriate emergency funds. Subject to the needs and wishes of family members of the deceased, the LD will also liaise with the Social Welfare Department for financial or other assistance.
 
      For the sake of securing the safety and health of employees at work, the LD appeals to employers to provide plant and systems of work that are safe and without risks to health. Employees should co-operate with their employers, adopt all safety measures and use personal protective equipment provided properly to avoid endangering their own work safety and that of other workers. read more