For Information C&W DC Paper No.43/2013

Summary of the Seventh Meeting Held on 31 January 2013 Traffic and Transport Committee (2012-13) (“TTC”) Central and Western District Council (“C&W DC”)

(1) Standing item: Central-Wan Chai Bypass and Island Eastern Corridor Link – report on the progress of the Central Interchange Project

The representative of the (“HyD”) reported on the works progress of the “Central-Wan Chai Bypass and Island Eastern Corridor Link - Central Interchange Project”. The Administration said that the works of the tunnel feeder would continue. It was anticipated that the traffic diversion at Finance Street would be cancelled in early 2014 and the Central Interchange Project finished in the third quarter of 2016.

(2) A new policy of “Barrier Free Access for Everyone”

Additional provision of “Barrier Fee Access for Everyone” facilities at 8 footbridges and 1 pedestrian subway in Central and Western District

After discussion, the Committee selected the following three public walkways to carry out technical feasibility studies:

HyD Location Structure no. Walkway across Possession Street near Lower 1. HF46 Walkway along near Tun Wo 2. HF135 Lane Walkway across West leading to 3. HF142 Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park

After discussion, the Committee endorsed the proposal of providing barrier free facilities at the following 8 footbridges and 1 pedestrian subway:

HyD Location Structure no. HF37 Footbridge along Connaught Road Central near 1. Exchange Square HF40 Footbridge across Cotton Tree Drive near Lippo 2. Centre HF91 Footbridge across Connaught Road Central 3. HF93A between Infinitus Plaza and Rumsey Street Multi- Storey Car Park HF152 Footbridge across near Citic 4. Tower 5. HF156 Footbridge at Man Po Street near Pier Road HS3 Pedestrian subway across Cotton Tree Drive near 6. Murray Building HF118 Footbridge across Connaught Road Central near 7. HF118A Shun Tak Centre and Western Market HF119 Footbridge across Connaught Road Central near 8. Waterfront Divisional Police Station HF137 Footbridge across Connaught Road Central near 9.

(3) Request for solving the problem of inadequate parking place for private cars in the Western District

The Committee requested the Transport Department (“TD”) to improve the ticketing mechanism for sale of Kennedy Town Car Park monthly pass. Questionnaires were distributed to the public for consultation regarding such ticketing arrangements. The TD would determine if the existing queuing-for-a-pass system was to remain unchanged or change to a sale-by-ballot system according to the findings of the consultation.

(4) Better flow of unobstructed traffic through additional provision of “yellow box marking” in the district

The TD would provide “yellow box marking” at the junction of Queen’s Road Central & and that of Queen’s Road West & Eastern Street. However, as “yellow box marking” was already in existence at the junction of Western Street & and vehicles would enter Pok Fu Lam Road from Queen’s Road West, the proposal might hinder the sightline of the motorists and their understanding of the traffic conditions in Pok Fu Lam Road. Therefore, the TD’s proposed provision of yellow box marking was not supported.

(5) Concern over the traffic accidents and road safety problems in Rock Hill Street

The Committee requested for additional provision of traffic lights and railings at suitable locations in Rock Hill Street by the TD as soon as possible. The TD was also requested to convene an informal meeting with the stakeholders to discuss about the improvement measures of the local traffic.

(6) Request for arrangement by Transport Department to averagely divert vehicular traffic from Des Vouex Road Central to Connaught Road Central through Wing Wo Street, Hiller Street and Morrison Street for optimisation of traffic flow in that area

To reduce the impact of the bus stops along Central on its westbound vehicular traffic, a bus company considered repositioning the bus stops of route nos. 960 and 961 situated at 232 Des Voeux Road Central to around 10 metres westward. The proposal needed to undergo further study with the TD.

(7) Strong request for frequency increase in the service of green minibus route nos. 54 and 55

The TD would study the feasibility of frequency increase in the service of green minibus route nos. 54 and 55.

(8) Strong request for immediate rearrangement of location regarding the bus stops and minibus stands outside the office of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce

The Committee urged the TD to tackle the congestion problem caused by passengers waiting for public transport outside Chinese General Chamber of Commerce (“CGCC”) during peak hours.

After discussion, the Committee adopted the following motions: Motions: The C&W DC strongly urged the TD to rearrange the location of bus stops and light bus stops outside CGCC immediately as follows: 1. To move the stop of green minibus route no. 55 to outside Wing On House; 2. To move the bus stops (for alighting only) of 7 Cross-Harbour Tunnel routes (i.e. 603, 603S, 115, 115P, 680X, 619 and 619P) westward to outside Nexxus Building; and 3. To rearrange the location of bus stops along that section of pedestrian walkway subsequent to implementation of the above two measures for better order of boarding by passengers.

(9) Concern over the sudden halt of operation of the traffic lights installed at the junction of Des Vouex Road West and Western Street

The representative of Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (“EMSD”) reported that the TD would inform the EMSD and Police as soon as possible during recurrence of similar incidents in order to ensure prompt repair of traffic lights and deployment of police officers for traffic command and control at scene by the two respective departments.

(10) Request for additional provision of service for bus route no. 5X departing from Wanchai and introduction of stage fare system for the westbound journey of this bus route

To meet Members’ request for shortening the waiting time of passengers of Route 5X boarding from Wanchai to Central, Citybus had started to provide 3 additional special departures for this route travelling between Playground, and Kennedy Town on Mondays to Fridays (except Public Holidays) since 28 January 2013.

(11) Optimisation of the interchange at and May Road

The Committee requested the TD to reinstall convex mirrors (commonly known as fish-eye mirrors) at the interchange at Magazine Gap Road and May Road in order to improve the traffic there.

After discussion, the Committee adopted the following motion: Motion: To request for immediate reinstallation of fish-eye mirrors at the interchange at Magazine Gap Road and May Road for enhancement of traffic safety.

Secretariat of the Central and Western District Council January 2013