Section of road within frontier closed area near Lin Ma Hang Village in Sha Tau Kok opens today (with photos)

     The Government has, with effect from today (January 24), opened a specified section of road within the frontier closed area (FCA) near Lin Ma Hang Village in Sha Tau Kok, by exempting the requirement to apply for a closed area permit for the public travelling by green minibus passing through this section of road, with a view to facilitating travel for members of the public and tourists to Lin Ma Hang Village and Robin's Nest Country Park.

     A spokesman for the Security Bureau stated, "Robin's Nest Country Park was established in November last year. Having considered public views on opening the relevant section of road within the FCA near Lin Ma Hang Village and after careful study of the feasibility, the Government decided to implement special arrangements to open the relevant road portion."

     The Hong Kong Police Force published in the Gazette today that, pursuant to section 38A(1) of the Public Order Ordinance, the requirement to apply for a closed area permit would be exempted for any person travelling to and from Lin Ma Hang Village by green minibus passing through the road within the FCA between Wang Lek and the entrance of Lin Ma Hang Village. Starting from today, members of the public and tourists can take green minibus No. 59K (Sheung Shui Station – Lin Ma Hang) from Sheung Shui MTR Station to reach Lin Ma Hang Village through the relevant section of road within the FCA. After alighting, members of the public can visit tourist attractions such as MacIntosh Forts and Lin Ma Hang Lead Mine directly via the Lin Ma Hang Country Trail and can continue towards the direction of Sha Tau Kok via the Robin's Nest Country Trail to enjoy the scenery around Yan Chau Tong and Shenzhen Wutong Mountain.

      "We hope this measure can facilitate visits by members of the public and tourists to Robin's Nest Country Park and nearby areas for sightseeing and experiencing Hong Kong's rich geological features and historical heritage," the spokesman said. The spokesman added that this exemption is only applicable to persons travelling by green minibus through the relevant section of road within the FCA and does not apply to private vehicles, taxis or other vehicles without a valid closed road permit, or to members of the public using other means of travel such as walking or cycling.

     "In fact, there are various ways to visit Robin's Nest Country Park, not limited to the above road within the FCA. Members of the public and tourists may choose other transportation means and routes, including New Territories green minibus No. 55K (Sheung Shui Station – Sha Tau Kok), KMB bus No. 78K (Sheung Shui Station – Sha Tau Kok), or KMB bus No. 277A (Lam Tin Station – Sha Tau Kok), to arrive at the Tam Shui Hang stop of Sha Tau Kok Road (Shek Chung Au), and then to the entrance of the Lin Ma Hang Country Trail through Shan Tsui Village Road. Public transport operators will closely monitor passenger demand and reserve sufficient vehicles and manpower to enhance frequency according to actual passenger growth," the spokesman said.

     For more information on Robin's Nest Country Park, please visit the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department's website (www.afcd.gov.hk) or the Enjoy Hiking website (www.hiking.gov.hk).