The Minutes Were Confirmed on 10.1.2019 Without Amendment

The minutes were confirmed on 12.9.2019 without amendment.

The Fourth Meeting of Traffic and Transport Committee under Yuen Long District Council in 2019

Date : 11 July 2019 (Thursday) Time : 10:00 a.m. - 12:35 p.m. Venue : Conference Room, Yuen Long District Council, 13/F., Yuen Long Government Offices, 2 Kiu Lok Square, Yuen Long

Present Time of Arrival Time of Withdrawal Chairman: Mr CHING Chan-ming Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting Vice-chairman: Mr MAK Ip-sing Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting Members: Ms CHAN Mei-lin Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting Mr CHAN Sze-ching Beginning of the meeting 12:10 p.m. Mr CHEUNG Muk-lam Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting Ms CHIU Sau-han, MH Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting Mr CHOW Wing-kan Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting Mr KWOK Keung, MH 11:30 a.m. End of the meeting The Hon KWONG Chun-yu 12:10 p.m. End of the meeting Mr LAI Wai-hung Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting Ms LAU Kwai-yung Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting Mr LEUNG Fuk-yuen 10:15 a.m. End of the meeting Mr LEUNG Ming-kin 10:15 a.m. End of the meeting Mr LUI Kin, MH 10:15 a.m. End of the meeting Mr LUK Chung-hung, JP 10:15 a.m. End of the meeting Ms MA Shuk-yin 10:15 a.m. End of the meeting Mr MAN Mei-kwai, Jimmy 10:15 a.m. 12:20 p.m. Mr SHUM Ho-kit, JP 10:05 a.m. End of the meeting Mr SIU Long-ming, MH Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting Mr TANG Cheuk-him 10:15 a.m. End of the meeting Mr TANG Cheuk-yin Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting Mr TANG Hing-ip, BBS Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting Mr TANG Ka-leung Beginning of the meeting 10:40 a.m. Mr TANG Yung-yiu, Ronnie Beginning of the meeting 12:15 p.m. Mr TO Ka-lun Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting Mr WONG Cheuk-kin Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting Ms WONG Wai-ling 10:15 a.m. End of the meeting Mr WONG Wai-shun, MH Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting Mr WONG Wai-yin, Zachary Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting

Mr YIU Kwok-wai Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting Mr YOUNG Ka-on Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting Ms YUEN Man-yee Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting

Co-opted Mr CHAN Tin-yam Beginning of the meeting 12:10 p.m. Members: Mr CHEUNG Wai-sum Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting Mr CHUI Kwan-siu 10:10 a.m. End of the meeting Ms KWOK Ching-yin Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting Mr LI Kai-lap, Riben 11:45 a.m. End of the meeting Mr NG Ka-leung 10:10 a.m. 10:10 a.m. Mr TANG Wing-ming, Jim Beginning of the meeting 11:25 a.m.

Secretary: Miss WONG Chung-wai, Executive Officer (District Council)2, Yuen Long Leah District Office

In Attendance Ms POON Wai-yi, Joanna Assistant District Officer (Yuen Long)2, Yuen Long District Office Ms TAM Lok-yan, Carol Senior Transport Officer/Yuen Long 1, Transport Department Mr LEUNG Ka-lok, Kelvin Senior Transport Officer/Yuen Long 2, Transport Department Mr TSE Ho-hang Engineer/Boundary, Transport Department Mr CHAN Ting-hong, Engineer/Infrastructure Projects, Transport Terence Department Mr LEE Kar-chun, Wilson Engineer/Yuen Long East, Transport Department Mr MAN Ka-ho, Wilson Engineer/Yuen Long West, Transport Department Mr AU Man-yu, Derek Engineer/Yuen Long Central, Transport Department Ms CHEUNG Pui-yan District Engineer/Yuen Long (East), Highways Department Mr SHIH Yung-chi District Engineer/Yuen Long (West), Highways Department Mr TO Kai-cho Engineer/16 (West), Civil Engineering and Development Department Mr WONG Hon-wah District Traffic Team (Yuen Long), Hong Kong Police Force Mr LUI Kai-ming Housing Manager/Yuen Long 5, Housing Department Mr WONG Yat-keung, Administrative Assistant/Lands (Acting), District

Clement Lands Office, Yuen Long

Item II Mr CHUNG Maan-kun, Terry Engineer/Hong Kong 2-3, Highways Department Mr William SO Project Manager, Mannings (Asia) Consultants Ltd. Mr TANG Wai-yin Project Engineer, Mannings (Asia) Consultants Ltd.

Item VII Ms PANG Ka-fong, Cindy Senior Executive Officer (District Council), Yuen Long District Council Secretariat

Absent Mr CHAM Ka-hung, Daniel, BBS, MH, JP (Absent with apologies) Mr LEE Yuet-man, MH Mr LAM Ting-wai Mr TANG Kam-fai

* * * * *

Opening Remarks

The Chairman welcomed Members and government department representatives to the fourth meeting of the Traffic and Transport Committee (“T&TC”) under the Yuen Long District Council in 2019. He first congratulated Mr YIU Kwok-wai and Mr WONG Cheuk-kin on being awarded the Medal of Honour (“MH”) and Ms MA Shuk-yin and Ms LAU Kwai-yung on being awarded the Chief Executive’s Commendation for Community Service. He also welcomed Ms CHEUNG Pui-yan, District Engineer/Yuen Long (East) of Highways Department (“HyD”) and Mr TSE Ho-hang, Engineer/Boundary of Transport Department (“TD”), who were attending the T&TC meeting for the first time.

Item I: Confirmation of the minutes of the third meeting of the Traffic and Transport Committee (“T&TC”) in 2019

2. The above minutes were confirmed by Members unanimously.

Item II: Upgrading of Remaining Sections of Kam Tin Road and Lam Kam Road (T&TC Paper No. 56/2019)

3. The Chairman welcomed the following persons to the meeting:

Highways Department Engineer/Hong Kong 2-3 Mr CHUNG Maan-kun, Terry

Mannings (Asia) Consultants Ltd. Project Manager Mr William SO Project Engineer Mr TANG Wai-yin

4. Mr Terry CHUNG, Mr Wilson LEE and Mr TANG Wai-yin briefed on the above paper.

5. Members’ views on the issue were summarised as follows:

(1) Members had lobbied the Department for years to implement the works project, and expressed support for the proposal of the Department;

(2) Members hoped the Department would clarify the meaning of “where circumstances permit” in the paper, entitled “Upgrading of Remaining Sections of Kam Tin Road and Lam Kam Road” (“the Paper”). They opined that the Department was duty-bound to bring about an overall improvement to the road section as quickly as possible;

(3) Members enquired about the widths of pedestrian ways along the road sections. A Member suggested that the proposed pedestrian way be further widened;

(4) Members enquired whether the Department had ever considered providing cycling tracks along a section of Kam Tin Road between Tung Wui Road and Fan Kam Road. They also enquired why the carriageways of the remaining road sections could not be widened to 10.3 metres and whether this had been due to land resumption issues. A Member suggested that if land resumption issues were involved, the Department should adequately compensate and rehouse eligible landowners and occupants;

(5) Members hoped the Department would furnish the works schedule, expedite

commencement of the works, and report the progress in due course;

(6) Members requested the Department to follow up on the road widening works at Kam Sheung Road as quickly as possible;

(7) Members enquired how the Department would proceed with the works of a pedestrian way along a section of Lam Kam Road between Kadoorie Farm and Sheung Tsuen;

(8) Members requested the Department to appropriately transplant trees on both sides of the road to facilitate the works;

(9) Members requested that the construction of an extra traffic lane on the Yuen Long section of Lam Kam Road be expedited to provide three lanes of traffic, so as to direct traffic flow and to align with the development of the Tai Po section of the road;

(10) Members expressed concern that narrow, steep bends on the Yuen Long section of Lam Kam Road would pose risks to double-decker buses running there;

(11) Members suggested the Department explore the feasibility of providing other access roads, such as tunnels, to connect the east and west of the New Territories;

(12) Members requested the Department to reveal the number of private sites at the works location for assessment of the need to resume land; and

(13) Members held that there was room for improvement in the scales illustrated in two cross-section plans for carriageways in the Paper.

6. Mr Terry CHUNG gave a consolidated reply as follows:

(1) The upgrading works at Kam Sheung Road was administrated by the Civil Engineering and Development Department (“CEDD”). Members’ views had been relayed to the CEDD representative at the meeting;

(2) The design plan at this stage was a preliminary one. The HyD would make an effort to build a two-metre-wide standard pedestrian way on both sides of the carriageways after their enhancement according to geographical

conditions. If major site constraints were detected at the road sections concerned, such as those that would affect the existing large slopes, the HyD would first secure approval from the TD and then reduce the widths of the pedestrian ways appropriately;

(3) The HyD was currently conducting an environmental impact assessment while creating the preliminary design. Members would be updated on the progress upon completion of the detailed design, and the works schedule would be provided in due course;

(4) As regards the impact of the existing trees on road users, the HyD would develop a suitable proposal on the design of the pedestrian ways with consideration given to factors, such as the safety of carriageways and pedestrian ways and ecological conservation problems caused by felling of trees; and

(5) The HyD was still studying concerns about project scope and relevant land issues, and would try to minimise resumption of private land. The Department would update Members on the progress in due course after completion of the detailed design work.

7. Mr Wilson LEE gave a consolidated reply as follows:

(1) The CEDD was conducting a consultancy study on the upgrading works at Kam Sheung Road, and would relay Members’ views to relevant departments;

(2) The TD had completed a traffic impact assessment of the road sections where upgrading works would be carried out. The TD considered it more appropriate to widen a section of Kam Tin Road between Tung Wui Road and Fan Kam Road to 10.3 metres, given higher traffic flows and more vehicular accesses there. A parking area would also be provided at a section of Kam Tin Road between Pat Heung Police Station and Sheung Tsuen to address traffic congestion caused by vehicles staying temporarily at a bus stop and a refuse collection point near Wang Toi Shan Law Uk Tsuen;

(3) Road width in a road widening project was affected by many factors, such as traffic and environment;

(4) In response to Members’ concerns about the provision of cycling tracks, the TD said their views would be relayed to relevant departments as cross-district

cycling tracks were under the purview of the CEDD;

(5) Prior to seeking funds for the works projects, the TD and the HyD would present again the finalised proposal to the rural committees (“RCs”) and the T&TC; and

(6) Given the gradient problem at the Tai Po section of Lam Kam Road, there was a need to provide single double-lane carriageways in some of the road sections so that vehicles could overtake. In designing the Yuen Long section of the road, the engineering team would have regard to the prevailing situation at the scene and study the issue of narrow road bends.

8. Mr TANG Wai-yin said there were road surfaces that did not comply with current standards for road designs and they were of various widths. The width of the road section between Tung Wui Road and Fan Kam Road varied from 5.4 metres to 6.8 metres, the width of the road section between Fan Kam Road and Route Twisk was about seven metres, and the width of Lam Kam Road varied from 5.4 metres to seven metres.

9. The Chairman concluded that Members supported the proposal of the Department, and hoped the Department would update the RCs and the T&TC on the progress after completion of the detailed design work.

Item III: Questions raised by Members: (1) Mr LUI Kin, MH, Mr KWOK Keung, MH, Ms WONG Wai-ling, Mr CHUI Kwan-siu and Mr LI Kai-lap, Riben requested that the footpaths off Cheung Fat Building be repaired (T&TC Paper No. 57/2019)

10. Members’ views on the issue were summarised as follows:

(1) Footpaths off Cheung Fat Building at Hong King Street, especially near the Chinese Banyan tree, were in appalling conditions. Cracked and uneven surfaces could cause pedestrians to trip easily. Members said this indicated a potential for improvement in the HyD’s road maintenance mechanism. They suggested the Department conduct site inspections at regular interval and take follow-up actions immediately;

(2) Members expressed concern about the design of storm water drains at the road sections concerned, and opined that the HyD should replace manhole covers comprehensively with those made out of iron;

(3) Members requested the HyD to inspect all manhole covers on Yuen Long roads; and

(4) Members requested the HyD to carry out repair works for broken manhole covers along Yuen Long Main Road as quickly as possible.

11. Mr SHIH Yung-chi gave a consolidated reply as follows:

(1) He pointed out that it took time to purchase manhole covers but the HyD had already replaced broken manhole covers in June;

(2) As tree root problems could cause damage to road surfaces, the HyD was currently following up on the issue with the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (“LCSD”). The HyD would expedite the handling of footpath surfaces posing an imminent danger;

(3) The HyD would review whether a full replacement of manhole covers at road sections concerned was required; and

(4) The HyD had been undertaking minor repair works for manhole covers on Yuen Long Main Road, but encountered difficulties in carrying out major repair works there at night, where vehicular flow was high. With the support of Members, the Hong Kong Police Force (“HKPF”) and the TD, the HyD would consider closing one of the carriageways there for major repair works.

12. The Chairman concluded that the HyD should inspect all manhole covers in Yuen Long and should, if any more cases of broken manhole covers were detected, consider a comprehensive replacement to ensure pedestrian safety.

(2) Mr LUI Kin, MH, Mr KWOK Keung, MH, Ms WONG Wai-ling, Mr CHUI Kwan-siu and Mr LI Kai-lap, Riben requested that the repair to the pedestrian way of Tai Shu Ha Road East be expedited (T&TC Paper No. 58/2019)

13. Members’ views on the issue were summarised as follows:

(1) An enquiry was made as to whether the HyD had ever referred works projects that fell outside its purview to other departments for follow-ups. Members hoped the HyD would clarify road maintenance responsibilities on village

boundaries;

(2) Members opined that the HyD had failed to detect broken road surfaces in a timely manner, and there was a need to enhance the inspection mechanism;

(3) Members requested the HyD increase more resources, adopt more effective repair methods and use more durable materials;

(4) Members suggested the HyD widen the road section between Tai Shu Ha Road East and Ma Tong Road, where Tin Hau’s birthday parade was staged and native villagers often walked around;

(5) Members hoped that the Department would expedite the repairs of broken road surfaces, saying that materials used in carriageways would be easily worn out during the wet season;

(6) Railings along the road section between Tai Shu Ha Road East and Ma Tong Road interfered with the driver’s vision; and

(7) Members requested the HyD to expedite the repairs of the village road behind Pat Heung Central Primary School.

14. Mr SHIH Yung-chi gave a consolidated reply as follows:

(1) The HyD’s inspection mechanism left room for improvement. He would relay Members’ comments to the HyD and respond to the Members after the meeting;

(2) While the HyD attached great importance to the repairs and maintenance of the public roads and ancillary facilities within its ambit, it was not responsible for the inspection, repairs or maintenance of other types of roads, such as those on village boundaries;

(3) The HyD pledged to repair damaged road surfaces within two working days after receipt of a complaint; and

(4) The HyD would not comprise on the quality of maintenance while resource constraints were an issue, but would have different considerations when deciding on repair materials, such as whether road closure would affect shops in the vicinity.

15. Mr Derek AU said the TD would talk to the Members concerned after the meeting in response to their suggestion of widening a road section between Tai Shu Ha Road East and Ma Tong Road as well as the issue of obstruction to driver’s view.

16. Ms Joanna POON said that she would check whether the maintenance of the pedestrian way beside the electric pole no. DP1174 fell under the purview of the Works Section of the Yuen Long District Office (“YLDO”), and would refer the matter to other relevant departments for follow-up when necessary.

17. In conclusion, the Chairman said he hoped the YLDO would follow up on the issues relating to village road maintenance, while requesting the HyD to heed Members’ views on maintenance work.

(Post-meeting Note: The YLDO would follow up on the issues of rural road maintenance according to established procedures.)

(3) Mr LI Kai-lap, Riben requested that pedestrian crossings be provided at Po Yip Street (T&TC Paper No. 59/2019)

18. Members requested the TD to examine pedestrian crossing facilities at Po Yip Street and study the possibility of providing more pedestrian crossings there to ensure pedestrian safety. Members hoped that if the TD failed to accept their suggestions, it could propose other measures to improve pedestrian safety and address parking problems.

19. Mr Wilson LEE said that the TD was temporarily unable to accept Members’ suggestion of providing more pedestrian crossings at road junctions, given that drivers needed to have a clear look at road junctions. However, the TD had required its works division to set up a refuge at the junction of Hong Yip Street in a bid to enhance pedestrian facilities, and would closely monitor the situation there. Also, the HyD had set up a ‘No stopping’ zone at Po Yip Street to exercise parking control, although no records had been found regarding pedestrian accidents there over the past five years.

20. The Chairman concluded that pedestrian crossing facilities at Po Yip Street could be enhanced further, and hoped the TD would monitor the traffic condition there after completion of the refuge. He also suggested the HKPF strictly enforce the law to address parking problems.

Item IV: Progress report of the Transport Department (T&TC Paper No. 60/2019)

19. Members enquired why the progress report did not mention tenders invited for three green minibus (“GMB”) routes.

20. Mr Kelvin LEUNG said that the TD had already started inviting tenders for the new GMB routes and would furnish Members with further information on the issue in due course.

23. In conclusion, the Chairman hoped the TD would provide further information on the issue.

Item V: Progress report of the Highways Department (T&TC Paper No. 61/2019)

24. Members’ views on the issue were summarised as follows:

(1) Members hoped that the following works projects could be completed as soon as possible: widening of the carriageway at the junction of Kin Lok Street and Fung Cheung Road, provision of a carriageway run-out at Kin Tak Street near Ma Tong Road, provision of parking spaces designated for people with disabilities at Fung Yau Street North near Yik Fat Building, relocation of the existing refuge at the junction of Shap Pat Heung Road and Fung Ki Road, widening of the pedestrian way at Tai Tong Road near Castle Peak Road - Yuen Long, provision of road markings at Tin Sau Road near One Sky Mall, widening of the refuge and provision of tactile warning strips at Tin Shui Road near Tin Heng Estate Bus Terminus, widening of the carriageways at Kiu Hing Road and Kung Um Road near Park Signature, relocation of trees and provision of a carriageway run-out at Shap Pat Heung Road near La Grove, widening of the carriageway at Tai Tong Road near Tai Kei Leng Road, and improvement of pedestrian crossing facilities at Wang Yip Street South near Wang Yip Street South Rest Garden;

(2) Members enquired about the progress of the following works projects: widening of the refuge at the junction of Kuk Ting Street and Castle Peak Road – Yuen Long, provision of pedestrian lights at Kam Tin Road near Ying Ho Road, removal of the existing central refuge at Castle Peak Road – Hung Shui Kiu near Tan Kwai Tsuen Road, and widening of the refuge and provision of tactile warning strips at Tin Shui Road near Tin Heng Estate Bus Terminus;

(3) Members enquired about the progress of works projects that were not mentioned in the progress report: relocation of a dropped kerb at Kin Yip Street, provision of hatch markings at Yuen Lung Street, construction of a spiral roundabout at Shap Pat Heung Road, extension of the bus stop at Uptown, removal of the existing planters, and provision of a pedestrian way at Kwong Yip Street near Wang Fu Court;

(4) Members suggested the Department conduct an on-site inspection with them of the upgrade works for cycling track facilities on the cycling tracks at Heng Kin House near the river of Tin Ying Road, as well as the widening works for the refuge at the junction of Kuk Ting Street and Castle Peak Road - Yuen Long.

(5) Members held that the unsatisfactory progress of some of the works projects might be due to understaffing in the Department. They hoped the Department could expedite the implementation of the works projects, and suggested it concurrently seek advice from other departments about different areas of issues;

(6) Members recommended the Department give priority to works that would take a longer time to complete, such as planter removal;

(7) Members expressed satisfaction with the following works projects: relocation of trees at Sai Ching Street outside St. Lorraine English Kindergarten, removal of a road sign at Tin Sau Road near Yin Fu Court, and the completed works to enhance the road markings at Po Yip Street near One Regent Place; and

(8) Members enquired why the HKPF opposed the trial run for temporary traffic arrangements.

25. Mr SHIH Yung-chi gave a consolidated reply as follows:

(1) The HyD would accord priority to undertaking minor works projects, such as provision of road markings, but would spend a longer time on major works projects, such as road alteration and planter removal, which often involved changes to underground utilities and had to be dealt with in the order of priority;

(2) Relocation of trees involved multiple procedures, for which applications to different departments were required;

(3) The HyD had requested contractors to increase manpower to handle the works projects;

(4) The HyD was currently discussing feasible options with the TD after the following works projects failed the trial runs for temporary traffic arrangements: widening of the carriageway at the junction of Kin Lok Street and Fung Cheung Road, widening of the refuge at the junction of Kuk Ting Street and Castle Peak Road – Yuen Long, and provision of pedestrian lights at Kam Tin Road near Ying Ho Road;

(5) Trial runs for temporary traffic arrangements were required for works at Kin Tak Street near Ma Tong Road, works at Shap Pat Heung Road near La Grove, removal of the existing central refuge at Castle Peak Road – Hung Shui Kiu near Tan Kwai Tsuen Road, relocation of the existing refuge at the junction of Shap Pat Heung Road and Fung Ki Road, widening of the pedestrian way at Tai Tong Road near Castle Peak Road – Yuen Long, improvement of pedestrian crossing facilities at Wang Yip Street South near Wang Yip Street South Rest Garden, improvement of pedestrian crossing facilities at Castle Peak Road – Mai Po, and removal of the existing planters and provision of a pedestrian way at Kwong Yip Street near Wang Fu Court. The HyD would examine impacts with the HKPF and take forward the works projects as early as practicable.

(6) The Hyd noted Members’ comments on the following works projects, which would commence as early as possible. They included widening of the refuge and provision of tactile warning strips at Tin Shui Road near Tin Heng Estate Bus Terminus, provision of parking spaces designated for people with disabilities at Fung Yau Street North near Yik Fat Building, and widening of the carriageway at Castle Peak Road – Hung Shui Kiu near Hung Tak Road.

(7) The works of widening the carriageway of Tai Tong Road near Tai Kei Leng Road were complicated and would take a longer time to complete. Relocation of underground utilities was already underway; and

(8) As regards the works of widening the carriageway between Kiu Hing Road and Kung Um Road near Park Signature, the HyD and contractors found the ground conditions there were different from previous estimates, and were seeking advice on the structural effects of the works.

26. Mr Derek AU gave a consolidated reply as follows:

(1) The TD was seeking advice on the relocation of the dropped kerb at Kin Yip Street, and thus had yet to issue the Works Request Form;

(2) The TD would consult local communities and other departments as soon as possible about the provision of hatch markings at Yuen Lung Street; and

(3) The works of a spiral roundabout at Shap Pat Heung Interchange had been completed.

27. Mr WONG Hon-wah noted Members’ comments on the trial runs for temporary traffic arrangements, which would be referred to relevant colleagues for follow-up.

28. In conclusion, the Chairman said he understood the HyD had expedited the processing of the works, and suggested that more contractors be engaged for additional manpower to speed up the process.

Item VI: Statistics on cycling accidents and related enforcement actions (T&TC Paper No. 62/2019)

29. Members noted the above paper.

Item VII: Any other business

30. The Chairman welcomed the following person to the meeting:

Yuen Long District Council Secretariat Senior Executive Officer (District Ms PANG Ka-fong, Cindy Council)

31. The Chairman briefed Members on the suspension of DC operation. As the election for a new term of District Council (“DC”) would be held on 24 November 2019 (Sunday), the operation of the DC would be suspended from 4 October onwards, until the current DC term expired on 31 December 2019. During the suspension period, meetings of the DC, committees and working groups under the DC, as well as activities and programmes organised or co-organised by the DC, committees and working groups under the DC, would be discontinued. In view of the arrangements for the suspension of DC operation, the sixth T&TC meeting on 14 November would not be held as planned, and the fifth meeting on 12 September 2019 would be the last T&TC meeting of the year.

32. There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned at 12:35 p.m.

Yuen Long District Council Secretariat August 2019