The Transport Department (TD) today (December 7) reminded the public that special traffic arrangements will be implemented in Stanley this Saturday (December 8), this Sunday (December 9), next Saturday (December 15) and next Sunday (December 16) to facilitate the holding of an event at Stanley Plaza, including:
 
* The section of Stanley New Street between Stanley Village Road and Stanley Market Road will be intermittently closed from 11am to 6pm (except for vehicles of local residents, persons with disabilities, the Police and emergency services).
 
* The effective hours of pedestrian precincts on Stanley Market Road and Stanley Main Street will be extended from 11am till 11pm.
 
     The TD anticipates that traffic in the vicinity and its approach roads will be busy on the above days. Members of the public are advised to use public transport services as far as possible, or to consider the free shuttle services provided by the event organiser (please refer to www.linkhk.com/en/promotion for details). Due to limited parking spaces in the area, those who have not reserved parking spaces with the event organiser should avoid driving to the vicinity. Motorists should exercise tolerance and patience in the case of traffic congestion and follow the Police's instructions.
 
     Details of the special traffic arrangements are now available on the department's website (www.td.gov.hk).

     The Highways Department (HyD) announced today (December 7) that in response to requests from interested tenderers, the tender period for the contract for Central Kowloon Route – Kai Tak East (Contract No. HY/2018/02) has been extended to noon on January 11, 2019.

     The HyD invited tenders for the contract on September 28. The original tender period was scheduled to expire at noon on December 14.

     The extension of the tender period was gazetted today.

     The HyD has appointed Arup – Mott MacDonald Joint Venture as the consultant to design and supervise the construction works. For enquiries, please call the consultant at 2268 3560.

     The Government proposes to introduce two new regulations and amend seven existing regulations under the Merchant Shipping (Safety) Ordinance to implement the latest requirements of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in relation to the construction and survey and fire safety requirements of ships.

​     A spokesman for the Transport and Housing Bureau today (December 7) said, "The two new regulations, namely the Merchant Shipping (Safety)(Construction and Survey) Regulation and the Merchant Shipping (Safety)(Fire-fighting Appliances and Fire Protection) Regulation, together with the amendments to existing regulations, incorporate the relevant provisions in the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea into local legislation."

​     Major new requirements on the construction and survey of ships cover regulations of ships using low-flashpoint fuels, specific construction requirements for oil tankers and bulk carriers, and the keeping of construction drawings of ocean-going vessels on board and ashore.

​     On fire safety, the new requirements include the provision of emergency escape breathing devices for crew use in the event of fire, installation of extinguishing systems for deep-fat cooking equipment on ocean-going vessels, and the provision of gas detectors on ships carrying gas-fuelled motor vehicles.

​     The Legislative Council Panel on Economic Development and the Shipping Consultative Committee of the Marine Department have been consulted on the legislative proposal.

​     The legislative proposal was gazetted today and will be tabled at the Legislative Council on December 12 for negative vetting.

     The Government announced today (December 7) the appointment of Mr Paul Lam Ting-kwok, SC, as Chairman of the Consumer Council for a term of two years with effect from January 1, 2019.

     Mr Lam will succeed Professor Wong Yuk-shan, who will be retiring from the Consumer Council having served as Chairman for six years. 

     "With his rich experience in and strong commitment to public service, we are confident that Mr Lam will provide able leadership to the Council in continuing to promote consumer interests in Hong Kong," a Government spokesman said.

     "We are most grateful to Professor Wong for his distinguished contribution to the Consumer Council over the years. His dedication and leadership have been invaluable to the work of the Council in safeguarding consumer rights," the spokesman added.

     The Government also announced the appointments of Mr Edward Ho Man-tat, Mr Victor Lam Hoi-cheung, Mr Matthew Lam Kin-hong, Mr Alan Lui Siu-lun, Dr Lui Wing-cheong and Miss Iris Wan Lai-sze as well as the re-appointments of Mr Ambrose Lam San-keung, Mr Kevin Lam Sze-cay and Mr Kent Wong Siu-kee as members of the Consumer Council for a term of two years with effect from January 1, 2019.

     Ms Grace Chan Man-yee, Ms Jo Jo Chan Shuk-fong, Dr Raymond Leung Siu-hong, Mr Keith Lie Kin-fu, Dr Karen Shum Hau-yan and Professor Wong Kam-fai will retire from the Council after completion of their terms on December 31, 2018.

     "We are delighted that three incumbent members and six new members have accepted their appointment. We would also like to express our gratitude to the six retiring members for their contributions to various aspects of the Council’s work," the spokesman said.

     The composition of the Council with effect from January 1, 2019 is as follows:

Chairman
————
Mr Paul Lam Ting-kwok, SC

Vice-Chairman
—————–
Mr Samuel Chan Ka-yan

Members
————-
Ms Linda Chan Ching-fan, SC
Mr Clement Chan Kam-wing
Dr Wilton Fok Wai-tung
Ms Amy Fung Dun-mi
Mr Steven Ho Chun-yin
Mr Edward Ho Man-tat
Mr Marvin Hsu Tsun-fai
Mr Antonio Kwong Cho-shing
Mr Victor Lam Hoi-cheung
Mr Matthew Lam Kin-hong
Mr Ambrose Lam San-keung
Mr Kevin Lam Sze-cay
Ms Vanessa Lau Chi-wan
Ms Kitty Lee Wing-lan
Mr Alan Lui Siu-lun
Dr Lui Wing-cheong
Mr Siu King-wai
Professor Nora Tam Fung-yee
Mr Kent Wong Siu-kee
Miss Iris Wan Lai-sze

     The Government today (December 7) announced the re-appointment of Mr Thomas Jefferson Wu to the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) for a term of two years from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2020.

     "During the past four years, Mr Wu has provided valuable suggestions on various aspects of the HKTB's work. We are delighted that he has accepted the re-appointment," a spokesman for the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau said.

     Appointments to the HKTB are made by the Financial Secretary under section 9 of the Hong Kong Tourism Board Ordinance (Chapter 302), under authority delegated by the Chief Executive.