The minutes were confirmed on 12.3.2020 without amendment.

Minutes of the First Meeting of the Traffic and Transport Committee under the District Council in 2020

Date : 23 January 2020 (Thursday) Time : 5:53 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Venue : Conference Room, Council, 13/F., Yuen Long Government Offices, 2 Kiu Lok Square, Yuen Long

Present Time of Arrival Time of Withdrawal Members: Mr AU Kwok-kuen Beginning of the meeting 6:05 p.m. Mr CHAN King-lun, Kisslan Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting Ms CHAN Mei-lin Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting Mr CHAN Shu-fai Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting Ms CHAN Sze-nga Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting Mr CHEUNG Chi-yeung, Felix Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting Mr CHEUNG Sau-yin Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting Mr FONG Ho-hin Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting Mr HAU Man-kin Beginning of the meeting 6:35 p.m. Mr HO Wai-pan Beginning of the meeting 6:40 p.m. Mr HONG Chin-wah Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting Mr KWAN Chun-sang Beginning of the meeting 6:40 p.m. Mr KWOK Man-ho Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting Mr LAI Kwok-wing, Samuel Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting Ms LAI Po-wa Beginning of the meeting 6:00 p.m. Mr LAM Chun Beginning of the meeting 6:40 p.m. Mr LAM Ting-wai Beginning of the meeting 6:00 p.m. Mr LEE Chun-wai Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting Mr LEE Wai-fung, Deco Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting Mr LEUNG Tak-ming Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting Mr LI Chung-chi Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting Mr MO Kai-hong Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting Mr NG Hin-wang Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting Ms NG Yuk-ying Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting Mr SHEK King-ching Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting Mr SZETO Pok-man Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting

Mr TO Ka-lun Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting Mr WONG Pak-yu Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting Mr WONG Wai-yin, Zachary Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting

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

In attendance Miss POON Wai-yi, Joanna Assistant District Officer (Yuen Long)2 Ms PANG Ka-fong, Cindy Senior Executive Officer (District Council), 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 LEE Kar-chun, Wilson Engineer/Yuen Long East, Transport Department Mr MAN Ka-ho, Wilson Engineer/Yuen Long West, Transport Department Miss FOK Sze-man, Grace 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 LEUNG Kei-ching Officer-in-Charge, District Traffic Team (Yuen Long), Police Force Mr CHEUNG Lai-ki Police Community Relations Officer (Yuen Long District),

Item II Mr SIU Yik-ho, Steven Senior Town Planner/Yuen Long West

1, Planning Department Ms IP Yuen-yi, Queenie Engineer/Main River 3, Mainland North Division, Drainage Services Department

Item III Mr SIU Yik-ho, Steven Senior Town Planner/Yuen Long West 1, Planning Department Mr LEUNG Kan-yan, Ken Senior Executive Officer/Driving Test 1, Transport Department Mr CHAK Ka-nin Senior Driving Examiner, Transport Department

Absent Mr CHING Chan-ming Hon KWONG Chun-yu Mr LAI Wing-tim Mr MAK Ip-sing Mr NG Kin-wai (Absent with apologies) Ms WONG Wing-sze Mr YOUNG Ka-on

* * * * *

Mr Zachary WONG, the Chairman of Yuen Long District Council (“YLDC”), would handle the first item on the agenda for the meeting until the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Traffic and Transport Committee (“T&TC”) were elected.

Item I: Election of Chairman and Vice Chairman of Traffic and Transport Committee (“T&TC”) 2. Mr Zachary WONG said that the Secretariat had received one nomination for T&TC Chairman and one nomination for T&TC Vice Chairman before the meeting. As no further nominations were proposed, the nominations for the two positions of the T&TC were closed.

3. Mr Zachary WONG said that the candidate nominated for T&TC Chairman was Mr CHEUNG Sau-yin, who was nominated by Ms CHAN Sze-nga, and Mr LI Chung-chi and Mr TO Ka-lun subscribed the nomination. Since there was only one candidate running for the chairmanship, Mr Zachary WONG announced that Mr CHEUNG Sau-yin was elected as T&TC Chairman of the sixth-term T&TC under the Yuen Long District Council.

4. Mr Zachary WONG said that the candidate nominated for T&TC Vice Chairman was Mr CHAN Shu-fai, who was nominated by Mr HAU Man-kin, and Mr FONG Ho-hin and Mr LAM Chun subscribed the nomination. As there was only one candidate running for the position, Mr Zachary WONG announced that Mr CHAN Shu-fai was elected as Vice Chairman of the sixth-term T&TC under the YLDC.

(Mr CHEUNG Sau-yin, the new T&TC Chairman presided over the meeting)

5. The Chairman thanked Members for their support. He hoped to maintain close cooperation with all Members during the new term of the T&TC.

6. The Chairman invited Ms Cindy PANG, the Secretary of the District Council, to introduce the Secretary of the T&TC. Ms PANG said that Miss Leah WONG, Executive Officer (District Council)2 of Yuen Long District Office, had taken up the position as the Secretary of the T&TC.

Item II: Question raised by Members: (1) Mr SZETO Pok-man, Mr FONG Ho-hin and Mr LEE Chun-wai proposed a discussion on “Request to ease traffic congestion around Kung Um Road, Kiu Hing Road and Shap Pat Heung Road traffic lights as soon as possible” (T&TC Paper No. 1/2020)

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

(1) Traffic congestion at the roads concerned was a pressing problem. If residents spent a long time waiting for public transport, it would affect their daily lives and increase the social costs. Members considered it necessary to remedy the situation more quickly. They enquired whether the vehicular traffic flow on the roads as estimated by the Transport Department (“TD”) would be sufficient to meet population growth in Shap Pat Heung West, and about the vehicular traffic flow that would increase accordingly;

(2) Large numbers of cars entering Kung Um Road via Kiu Hing Road, currently a single-lane carriageway, was not only worsening traffic congestion in the area, but would hinder the development of public transport routes. It was hoped that Yuen Long South Development would lead to an upgrade of Kung Um Road and Kiu Hing Road into two-lane carriageways;

(3) An enquiry was made as to whether the relevant departments would initiate the works of widening of Kung Um Road and Kiu Hing Road alone, so that more resources could be deployed to address traffic congestion;

(4) Members opined that the one-way carriageway connecting Park Signature to Shap Pat Heung Road might not be sufficient to cope with the vehicular traffic flow from Tai Tong. They enquired whether the estimated traffic flow of the carriageway could be effective in alleviating the traffic congestion problem. They also enquired about the progress of the works and whether the works could be completed ahead of schedule;

(5) Members reiterated their request to remove the traffic lights at Shap Pat Heung Road, saying the current waiting time for traffic signals was too long, thereby exacerbating traffic congestion. He suggested that a “Stop and Give Way” sign be set up there to replace traffic lights, and hoped that the TD could conduct field tests to facilitate the suggestion;

(6) Members considered that, if the green interval duration of the traffic lights at Kung Um Road northbound was set to 50 seconds during morning peak hours, this would make other road users wait longer and in turn affect the traffic in the vicinity;

(7) Members enquired about the planning guidelines, saying that the existing yellow box markings were in close proximity. They pointed out that the yellow box markings could not function effectively, and hoped that the police could step up enforcement actions;

(8) Members opined that traffic flow volumes on the roads concerned had reached saturation point, and that improvements could only be made through planning. For example, building new roads and providing more support facilities in the planning for Yuen Long South could help discourage residents from visiting downtown areas only, thereby alleviating traffic and illegal parking problems;

(9) Members cited the need to deck some of the nullahs to facilitate the development of Yuen Long, while expressing hope that the Drainage Services Department (“DSD”) could provide more data for Members to judge how flood discharge would be affected if some of the nullahs were decked to increase traffic volumes on the road

sections concerned. A Member enquired about the possibility of providing car-parking facilities atop nullahs;

(10) Members pointed out that the DSD and the Planning Department (“PlanD”) had different views on whether nullahs should be decked, while at the same time enquiring whether the proposal of the DSD was technically feasible;

(11) It was proposed that the enclosed footpath on the north side of the roads be demolished as soon as possible to free up more space for construction of a vehicular bridge;

(12) Members enquired whether the Civil Engineering and Development Department (“CEDD”) would consider the provision of cycle tracks to ensure both pedestrian and cyclist safety;

(13) Members hoped that the departments could address infrastructure problems before proceeding to increasing the population in an area to facilitate development, such as the construction of Route 11; and

(14) Members enquired when an environmental impact assessment would be carried out for Yuen Long South Development, when the development would be presented to the Public Works Subcommittee and the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council, and when the development would be completed.

8. Miss Grace FOK, the TD representative, gave a consolidated reply as follows:

(1) The TD attached great importance to the traffic conditions of Kung Um Road, Kiu Hing Road and Shap Pat Heung Road, and had arranged with the Highways Department (“HyD”) to construct a one-way carriageway connecting Park Signature to Shap Pat Heung Road (from Park Signature towards Shap Pat Heung Road direction) with a view to diverting vehicles and relieving traffic congestion at Kung Um Road and the junction of Kung Um Road, Kiu Hing Road and Shap Pat Heung Road. It was estimated that there were 50 to 70 vehicles driving from Park Signature towards Shap Pat Heung Road direction every day. Construction work was already underway, and was expected to be completed in September this year;

(2) It was appropriate to install traffic lights at the junction of Kung Um Road, Kiu Hing Road and Shap Pat Heung Road. It was a high traffic area with vehicles

travelling in multiple directions, and there were also a number of pedestrian crossings;

(3) The green interval duration of traffic lights at Kung Um Road northbound had been adjusted to 50 seconds during the morning peak hours. It was considered that the current modes of operation for the traffic signals were the most relevant to the traffic situation there;

(4) There were several factors that influenced illegal vehicle parking, including parking fees, parking location, distance to destination, and traffic conditions in the vicinity. The TD would actively cooperate with the police and continuously follow up on the problem;

(5) The TD would install on-street metered parking spaces and parking spaces for motorcycles at appropriate locations without compromising road safety or endangering other road users. Furthermore, the TD would maintain close liaison with relevant departments to identify suitable government sites that had been left temporarily vacant with no long-term development uses for conversion into short-term tenancy (“STT”) car parks;

(6) The CEDD said that the road improvement works at Kung Um Road and Kiu Hing Road (near Shap Pat Heung Road) outside the Yuen Long South Development Area had been included in the first phase of the Yuen Long South Development Project. In accordance with the existing planning, when some of the nullahs were decked, the sections of Kung Um Road and Kiu Hing Road would be widened to provide two-lane, one-way traffic. There would also be footpaths built along the road sections. The TD said that the works could effectively ameliorate traffic congestion on the road sections concerned, and that the department would provide effective support;

(7) If the works of widening Kung Um Road and Kiu Hing Road were initiated alone, this would lengthen the time required for the works with more procedures to be followed, given the complexity of the works; and

(8) Extra traffic volume data for the existing roads would be provided after the meeting.

9. Mr TO Kai-cho, the CEDD representative, gave a consolidated reply as follows:

(1) He said that the provision of cycle tracks at Kung Um Road was not in the current development plan, but was part of other development plans for Yuen Long South. Members’ views regarding this would be relayed to his relevant colleagues for consideration; and

(2) The PlanD would commence the statutory procedures for revising the Outline Zoning Plan in relation to the Yuen Long South Development Project as soon as possible, and then the CEDD would gazette in stages the proposed road works for the project. After completion of the above and other relevant statutory procedures and detailed designs, the authorities would apply for funding in a timely manner to implement the Yuen Long South Development Project in stages.

10. Mr Steven SIU, the PlanD representative, gave a consolidated reply as follows:

(1) He pointed out that technical assessments, such as traffic impact assessment, was usually required for a development project to ensure no adverse impact on surrounding areas. If any planning applications or rezoning procedures were required, the relevant assessments would be presented to the (“TPB”) for overall consideration;

(2) The Environmental Impact Assessment Report of the Yuen Long South Development Area had been approved earlier. The YLDC Town Planning and Development Committee had also been consulted about the Yuen Long South Recommended Outline Development Plan on 20 September 2017;

(3) The PlanD would commence the relevant rezoning procedures for Yuen Long South Development, and would consult the District Council at a suitable time;

(4) Members’ views and opinions on the overall planning of Yuen Long were noted. A wide array of support facilities would be provided in Yuen Long South Development and New Development Area to help diversion from the town area of Yuen Long; and

(5) Some of the nullahs would be decked in accordance with the current planning for Yuen Long South Development in a bid to widen Kung Um Road and Kiu Hing Road to provide two-lane, one-way traffic.

11. Ms Queenie IP, the DSD representative, gave a consolidated reply as follows:

( 1) Extensive catchment areas of nullahs in Yuen Long Town could promptly drain rainwater into the sea during heavy rain to avert flooding. As nullahs served as the main drainage channels in the district, the DSD needed to ensure their adequate drainage capacity. Generally, open nullahs had better drainage capacity and could effectively collect storm runoff on both land sides. Improvement projects, such as building floodwalls, could also be carried out there more easily according to climate change. As decking of nullahs would impose constraints on daily inspection and maintenance, the DSD had had no plans to deck the nullahs concerned; and

(2) The DSD adopted an open attitude and would provide technical advice, if other relevant Government departments proposed decking of nullahs to an appropriate extent because of the needs arising from road and pedestrian traffic, land space, open spaces and other developments and as long as drainage capacity would not be affected accordingly. As to whether it was necessary to deck the nullahs in Yuen Long to alleviate traffic congestion in the district, it would be up to the Government department (the department that proposed the works project) to consider, study, propose and lead the project. The DSD would provide technical advice if the relevant Government department confirmed the need to provide additional facilities for traffic improvement, and when the designs of the project necessitated decking of some of the nullahs in the town area of Yuen Long to an appropriate extent. While it was technically feasible to deck a nullah, a drainage impact assessment had to be passed first. The DSD, upon receipt of such a proposal, would work closely with the department putting forward the project, and conduct a hydraulic modelling analysis before the existing nullah was to be modified, so as to assess how the modification would affect drainage capacity. Where necessary, effective mitigation measures would be taken to maintain the sufficient drainage capacity of the nullah.

12. Mr SHIH Yung-chi, the HyD representative, gave a consolidated reply as follows:

(1) The works of building a one-way carriageway connecting Park Signature to Shap Pat Heung Road were already in progress, and excavation was underway. However, as it took a long time earlier to relocate underground utility, the HyD was expediting the progress. The department was examining and approving prefabricated component materials while arranging their delivery to Hong Kong. It was estimated at this stage that the works would be completed in September 2020, or ahead of schedule where practicable;

(2) On-site inspections had been conducted in relation to the proposal to demolish an enclosed footpath for the construction of a vehicular bridge. It was found that the footpath was paved with concrete and formed part of a flyover that was already there. The HyD was looking into the matter in detail with the TD, saying that demolition of the structure would affect the design of the flyover and might pose a safety risk to drivers; and

(3) The departments would share information on Route 11, and relevant details would be provided after the meeting.

13. Mr LEUNG Kei-ching, the representative of the Hong Kong Police Force (“HKPF”), responded that they had not received any complaints about illegal parking in the past year. He said that the HKPF had imposed fixed penalties and instituted 236 regular prosecutions in respect of illegal parking at the road sections concerned, and that his relevant colleagues would continue to follow up on the issue.

14. The Chairman concluded that Members attached great importance to road traffic issues, and hoped that the HyD could arrange for an on-site inspection.

(2) Mr CHAN King-lun, Kisslan, Mr LAI Kwok-wing, Samuel, Mr CHAN Shu-fai, Mr LEUNG Tak-ming and Mr AU Kwok-kuen proposed a discussion on “Objection to the planning application no. A/YL-TYST/997 for providing a driving school at Tong Yan San Tsuen Interchange near Shan Ha Road” (T&TC Paper No. 2/2020) 15. Members’ views on the issue were summarised as follows:

(1) The PlanD was requested to provide its submissions forwarded to the TPB on the planning application A/YL-TYST/997 (“the application”);

(2) A Member enquired how the TD would handle the application of the designated driving school if the TPB granted planning permission;

(3) Members opined that traffic at Tong Yan San Tsuen Interchange was busy. They enquired about the stance the TD had presented to the PlanD regarding the application, and requested the TD to disclose the comments it had provided to the applicant. Members asked the TD whether it was true that it would not object to the application, saying that the departments should have introduced their comments to the TPB during the statutory consultation period;

(4) It was pointed out that 261 of the 263 public opinions received by the TPB were against the application, and they came from residents in the area, property owners’ corporations, management companies and villagers near the proposed site. They were mainly concerned about the traffic bearing capacity of the roads near the proposed site and safety risks faced by the communities near Yuen Long Park, given large numbers of runners, users of park facilities and primary and secondary school students in the area near the proposed routes for practice driving (“learning route”). They considered the situation more complicated than in an ordinary residential area. As the remaining two opinions, which were in favour of the application, were from the directors of the proposed driving school and landlords, public opinion was clear;

(5) The proposed site was not suitable for the establishment of a driving school. There was already a driving school in Yuen Long, but its demand was not evident. Government policy did not encourage more people to drive their cars, and residents did not concur with relevant research reports. Therefore, Government departments should object to the application, unless there were good reasons for not doing so;

(6) Traffic was busy along Shan Ha Road, where there were a lot of heavy vehicles running during the day. A Member enquired whether the TD would suggest moving the learning route to areas with less traffic, such as ;

(7) A Member enquired about the criteria which Government departments would adopt in approving the application for the establishment of a driving school;

(8) A Member enquired whether the PlanD would forward Members’ views and opinions to the TPB; and

(9) The departments were requested to provide data about road traffic accidents at Lam Yu Road, Shan Ha Road and Tong Yan Sun Tsuen Interchange in the past three years. Members also enquired whether the TD could cite other similar cases for their reference.

16. Mr Steven SIU, the PlanD representative, gave a consolidated reply as follows:

(1) The document submitted by the PlanD to the TPB this time was only a brief statement about the applicant’s request for the TPB to postpone the vetting of the application. The document was also available for viewing on the official website of the TPB. The TPB accepted the request on 17 January 2020;

(2) The PlanD would forward the comments of the relevant departments to the applicant, who could then prepare further information to respond. As the TPB would also make the information provided by the applicant available for public inspection, the public would then view the comments of the departments at this stage;

(3) The PlanD would forward valid public views and opinions gathered during the first three weeks of the public inspection period to the TPB for consideration. Other considerations included whether the proposed use was supported by policy and how the plan would affect the surrounding areas. The TPB would not consider public views and opinions submitted after the first three weeks of the public inspection period as valid. If the applicant prepared further information, and if the TPB accepted the information and considered a public inspection necessary, it would invite public views and opinions for another three weeks; and

(4) Technical advice of the TD had been forwarded to the applicant, pending submission of further information from the applicant.

17. Miss Grace FOK, the TD representative, gave a consolidated reply as follows:

(1) The TD was considering the application according to the requirements of the TPB, while keeping close contact with the PlanD, so as to provide the TPB with advice on traffic and transport for consideration;

(2) The TD had always maintained its neutrality, and had given comments to the applicant in relation to the application. The TD also requested the applicant to prove how the application would not cause unacceptable traffic impacts to the area;

(3) The TD was awaiting submission of further information from the applicant, and thus had yet to make any conclusion at this stage;

(4) Members’ views on the relocation of the learning route was noted, but it was the applicant who would decide the route and the TD would not discuss this; and

(5) Extra data on traffic accidents at Lam Yu Road, Shan Ha Road and Tong Yan San Tsuen Interchange would be provided after the meeting.

18. Mr Ken LEUNG, the TD representative, gave a consolidated reply as follows:

(1) In vetting the application for the establishment of a driving school, the TD would consider, in conformity with the powers conferred by Road Traffic Ordinance (Cap. 374), whether there was a considerable demand for the driving school in application, whether the location was consistent with the planned use of land, and whether the relevant operational conditions had been fulfilled in terms of the equipment and manpower and other operational arrangements. As the application was in its preliminary stages, it would be too early to give comments at this juncture; and

(2) He said that there was demand for driving schools given the rising number of people who learned driving, while expressing respect for any individual operator’s request to open a school in a free competitive market.

19. Mr CHAK Ka-nin, the TD representative, said that, as far as traffic conditions were concerned, Tsuen Wan Driving Test Centre on Texaco Road was a case of approved application similar to that of Lam Yu Road, Shan Ha Road and Tong Yan San Tsuen Interchange.

20. In conclusion, the Chairman said that opening a driving school might create problems in the area because of busy traffic on the road sections concerned. He hoped that the postponement application would allow the public sufficient time to express their views and

opinions. He also hoped that the TD and the PlanD could take note of the Members’ views, check whether the project in application was the only one that could increase the number of sites for examinations and driving learning, and could consult a timely consultation with the T&TC.

21. Mr Samuel LAI raised the following motion, which was seconded by Mr LEUNG Tak-ming, Mr KWOK Man-ho, Mr NG Hin-wang, Mr HONG Chin-wah and Mr FONG Ho-hin:

“This Council objects to the provision of a driving school at Tong Yan San Tsuen Interchange near Shan Ha Road, and to the construction of learning routes around residential areas near Yuen Long Park.”

22. Voting by the Members on the above motion was conducted by a show of hands with their names recorded. Mr Kisslan CHAN, Ms CHAN Mei-lin, Mr CHAN Shu-fai, Ms CHAN Sze-nga, Mr Felix CHEUNG, Mr FONG Ho-hin, Mr HONG Chin-wah, Mr KWOK Man-ho, Mr Samuel LAI, Mr LEE Chun-wai, Mr Deco LEE, Mr LEUNG Tak-ming, Mr LI Chung-chi, Mr MO Kai-hong, Mr NG Hin-wang, Ms NG Yuk-ying, Mr SHEK King-ching, Mr SZETO Pok-man, Mr TO Ka-lun, Mr WONG Pak-yu, and Mr Zachary WONG voted in favour of the motion.

23. The Chairman announced that the motion was passed by an absolute majority with a vote of 21 in favour, zero opposed and zero abstaining.

(Post-meeting Note: On 13 February 2020, the Secretariat wrote to the TPB and the PlanD to relay Members’ views and opinions.)

Item III: Any Other Business

24. Mr CHEUNG Sau-yin, Mr CHAN Shu-fai, Mr MO Kai-hong and Mr AU Kwok-kuen raised the following motion, which was seconded by Mr WONG Pak-yu, Mr TO Ka-lun, Mr SZETO Pok-man, Mr SHEK King-ching, Ms NG Yuk-ying, Mr LI Chung-chi, Mr LEUNG Tak-ming, Mr Deco LEE, Mr LEE Chun-wai, Mr LAM Chun, Mr Samuel LAI, Mr KWOK Man-ho, Mr KWAN Chun-sang, Mr Felix CHEUNG, Mr HONG Chin-wah, Mr HAU Man-kin, Mr NG Hin-wang, Ms CHAN Sze-nga, Ms CHAN Mei-lin, Mr FONG Ho-hin, and Mr Kisslan CHAN:

“This Committee proposes the formation of the Joint Working Group on Traffic and Transport of Yuen Long and District Councils

Because of population growth in the Northwest and an increasing transport demand of Yuen Long, Tin Shui Wai and Tuen Mun, coupled with the imminent development of Hung Shui Kiu, the existing transport network can no longer meet the transport needs of the districts. Transport planning for the districts has become the most pressing task of the Council of this term, and must be actively dealt with to meet public expectations.

In order to address the planning and development of traffic routes in the districts of Yuen Long, Tin Shui Wai, Hung Shui Kiu and Tuen Mun, and to strengthen communication between the two District Councils, this Committee proposes the formation of the Joint Working Group on Traffic and Transport of Yuen Long and Councils, through which joint meetings would be convened on a regular basis with the Traffic and Transport Committee of the Tuen Mun District Council. Major transport service providers, key Government departments, and community stakeholders would be invited to the meetings to jointly map out the blueprint for the traffic and transport network in the Northwest New Territories and discuss transport services in the districts.

The terms of reference of the Joint Working Group on Traffic and Transport of Yuen Long and Tuen Mun District Councils were as follows:

I. To monitor and respond to Government departments on traffic and transport planning and their policies and administration of the transport facilities, especially projects related to Yuen Long (including Yuen Long Town, Tin Shui Wai, rural areas and Hung Shui Kiu) and Tuen Mun;

II. To monitor the service quality of railway companies, franchised bus companies and transport service providers, and to make requests and recommendations for improvement;

III. To review the existing local traffic and transport systems in Yuen Long and Tuen Mun Districts, and to put forward improvement proposals or specific transport services;

IV. To study and give recommendations to the Government on the direction of local and external traffic and transport planning in Yuen Long and Tuen Mun Districts;

V. To study and give recommendations to the Government on the direction of developing a cross-district cycle track network between Yuen Long and Tuen Mun to help alleviate road pressure and reduce carbon emission;

VI. To consult the public and make recommendations on traffic and transport-related works of Yuen Long and Tuen Mun District Councils;

VII. To openly consult the public on the provision of traffic, transport and related facilities;

VIII. To organise and publicity activities on traffic and transport planning for members of the public to participate in the work of the working group; and

IX. To report work at the meetings of Yuen Long and Tuen Mun District Councils on a regular basis.”

25. Voting by Members on the above motion was conducted by a show of hands with their names recorded. Mr Kisslan CHAN, Ms CHAN Mei-lin, Mr CHAN Shu-fai, Ms CHAN Sze-nga, Mr Felix CHEUNG, Mr FONG Ho-hin, Mr HONG Chin-wah, Mr KWOK Man-ho, Mr Samuel LAI, Mr LEE Chun-wai, Mr Deco LEE, Mr LEUNG Tak-ming, Mr LI Chung-chi, Mr MO Kai-hong, Mr NG Hin-wang, Ms NG Yuk-ying, Mr SHEK King-ching, Mr SZETO Pok-man, Mr TO Ka-lun, Mr WONG Pak-yu, and Mr Zachary WONG voted in favour of the motion.

26. Miss Joanna POON, the YLDO representative, said that she had just learned at the meeting about the terms of reference of the working group. She believed that if a cross-district working group was to be formed, Tuen Mun District Council would need to take note of and approve the matter, with more follow-up and research work required for the specific operational details of the working group and for the work distribution within the Secretariat.

27. The Chairman said that, after the motion was passed, he would discuss and follow up on the matter with the Chairman of the Traffic and Transport Committee of Tuen Mun District Council.

28. The Chairman announced that the motion was passed by an absolute majority with a vote of 21 in favour, zero opposed and zero abstaining.

(Post-meeting Note: On 13 February 2020, the Secretariat wrote to the TD and Tuen Mun District Council Secretariat to relay Members’ views and opinions.)

29. There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.

Yuen Long District Council Secretariat February 2020