Minutes of the 1st Meeting in 2021

Minutes of the 1st Meeting in 2021

of the Traffic and Transport Committee

of Tai Po District Council

Date: 5 March 2021 (Friday)

Time: 9:45 a.m. – 4:09 p.m.

Venue: Conference Room, Tai Po District Council (“TPDC”)

Present Time of Arrival Time of Withdrawal

Chairman

Mr. KWAN Wing-yip

Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting

Vice-chairman

Mr. MAN Nim-chi Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting

Members

Mr. AU Chun-ho 10:52 a.m. End of the meeting

Mr. AU Chun-wah Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting

Mr. CHAN Chun-chit, Richard Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting

Ms. CHAN Wai-ka, Olive 10:20 a.m. End of the meeting

Mr. CHOW Yuen-wai 9:53 a.m. End of the meeting

Mr. HO Wai-lam Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting

Mr. LAM Ming-yat, Nick 11:37 a.m. End of the meeting

Mr. LAM Yick-kuen 10:18 a.m. 12:28 p.m.

Mr. LAU Yung-wai 11:05 a.m. End of the meeting

Mr. LIN Kok-cheung, Dalu 10:13 a.m. 2:47 p.m.

Mr. SO Tat-leung Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting

Mr. TAM Yi-pui 10:08 a.m. End of the meeting

Mr. WONG Siu-kin 9:57 a.m. 11:54 a.m.

Mr. WU Yiu-cheong Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting

Mr. YAM Kai-bong Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting

Mr. YIU Kwan-ho Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting

Mr. YIU Yeuk-sang Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting

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Secretary

Miss SY Ling-ling, Phoebe Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting

Executive Officer (District Council) 1 /

Tai Po District Office (“TPDO”) /

Home Affairs Department (“HAD”)

In Attendance

Mr. HO Ching-yeung, Jonathan Assistant District Officer (Tai Po) / TPDO / HAD

Mr. AU Kak-loi, Peter Senior Transport Officer / Tai Po / Transport Department (“TD”)

Ms. LEE Wing-sum, Summer Engineer / Tai Po 1 / TD

Mr. WONG Ka-lam, Matthew Engineer / Tai Po 2 / TD

Mr. SIU Wai-kwan District Engineer / Tai Po (2) / Highways Department (“HyD”)

Mr. WOO Yan-ho Engineer / 2-1 (Tai Po) / HyD

Mr. CHAN Koon-man Assistant Housing Manager / Tenancy (Tai Po, North & Shatin

7) 2 / Housing Department (“HD”)

Ms. FUNG Ngar-jing, Josephine Operations Officer / Tai Po Police District / Hong Kong Police

Force (“HKPF”)

Mr. TSUI Yik-fuk Station Sergeant / Traffic Wing / Tai Po Police District / HKPF

Mr. LEE Man-chow, Francis Project Team Leader / Civil Engineering and Development

Department (“CEDD”)

Mr. YUNG Chung-bun, Thomas Deputy Project Team Leader / CEDD

Mr. LAM Chi-kuen, Leo Senior Engineer / Projects 3 / CEDD

Mr. CHAN Kam-fai Engineer / Projects 3D / CEDD

Mr. TAI Yuet-ming, Peter Project Coordinator / Projects 3D / CEDD

Ms. LEE Che-ying Engineer / New Territories East (Distribution 4) / Water Supplies

Department (“WSD”)

Mr. CHAN Kam-shing, Eddie Senior Executive Officer (Planning) 23 / Leisure and Cultural

Services Department (“LCSD”)

Mr. WONG Kwok-wai, Anthony Deputy District Leisure Manager (Tai Po) 2 / LCSD

Mr. CHOY Kin-lun Administrative Assistant / Lands (Acting) (District Lands Office,

Tai Po) / District Lands Office, Tai Po (“TPDLO”) / Lands

Department

Mr. TAM Tsun-hei, Jeff Manager / Public Affairs / Kowloon Motor Bus Company (1933)

Limited (“KMB”)

Mr. CHEUNG Kiu-kwong, Andy Manager / Operations / KMB

Mr. CHAN Chung-yi Officer / Planning and Development / KMB

Mr. LI Kam-sang Technical Director / Mott MacDonald Hong Kong Limited (“Mott

MacDonald”)

Mr. LAI Yiu-man, Edmund Graduate Engineer / Mott MacDonald

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Ms. LAI Ka-fei, Kathy Graduate Engineer / Mott MacDonald

Mr. LEE Yu-sau, Terence Senior Executive Officer (District Council) / TPDO / HAD

Mr. WU Chi-hung, Derek Senior Executive Officer (District Council)(Designate) / TPDO /

HAD

Opening Remarks

The Chairman welcomed participants to the Traffic and Transport Committee (“TTC”)

meeting.

2. The Chairman made the following announcements:

(i) Mr. HO Ching-yeung, Jonathan, Assistant District Officer (Tai Po) of the TPDO,

would attend the meetings from now on in place of Ms. LEUNG Wing-yin, Tiffany,

who had been transferred out.

(ii) Mr. CHAN Koon-man, Assistant Housing Manager / Tenancy (Tai Po, North &

Shatin 7) 2 of the HD, would attend the meetings from now on in place of Ms. SO

Pui-yin who had been transferred out.

(iii) Ms. FUNG Ngar-jing, Josephine, Operations Officer / Tai Po Police District of the

HKPF, would attend the meetings from now on in place of Mr. KONG Wai-fung,

Ryan, who had been transferred out.

I. Confirmation of the minutes of the 6th meeting in 2020 of the TTC on 6 November 2020

(TPDC Paper No. TT 1/2021)

3. The TPDC Secretariat did not receive any proposed amendment to the afore-mentioned

minutes before the meeting. The Chairman asked if Members had any proposed amendment.

4. As Members did not have any proposed amendment, the afore-mentioned minutes were

confirmed.

II. Civil Engineering and Development Department – Tai Po Sam Mun Tsai Pier Improvement

Works


5. The Chairman welcomed the following departmental and company representatives to attend

the meeting for this agenda item:

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CEDD

Mr. LEE Man-chow, Francis, Project Team Leader

Mr. YUNG Chung-bun, Thomas, Deputy Project Team Leader

Mr. TAI Yuet-ming, Peter, Project Coordinator / Projects 3D

Mott MacDonald

Mr. LI Kam-sang, Technical Director

Mr. LAI Yiu-man, Edmund, Graduate Engineer

Ms. LAI Ka-fei, Kathy, Graduate Engineer

6. Mr. LEE Man-chow, Francis, went through TPDC Paper No. TT 2/2021.

7. Mr. LI Kam-sang went through the PowerPoint presentation concerned (see Annex 1).

8. Mr. SO Tat-leung’s comments were as follows:

(i) He had consulted the village head and residents of Sam Mun Tsai about the captioned

improvement works. They did not have any objection to the works.

(ii) He asked about the time required for carrying out the works.

(iii) He indicated that part of the pier was always submerged during high tides and rainy

days. As such, he asked whether the department had considered ways to improve

this situation when it planned the works.

9. Mr. YAM Kai-bong’s comments were as follows:

(i) He said that some people would still need to use Sam Mun Tsai Pier when the works

were underway. He speculated that it would take one to two years to complete the

works. Therefore, he asked what works-related contingency measures would be

taken when the works were underway, such as what temporary pedestrian walkways

and berth facilities would be set up to reduce the impact on the users and to meet their

needs.

(ii) He was worried that the floating platform could not withstand strong winds and

waves. The anchor chains connecting the floating platform to the pier might be

broken by winds. The floating platform might also be blown away, leading to

accidents. In this connection, he asked what levels of winds and waves the floating

platform could withstand. If the works required a large sum of money but could not

be used again after a typhoon, it would take time to carry out repair works.

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10. Mr. YIU Kwan-ho said that as the management of Pak Shek Kok Pier and Tai Po Waterfront

Park Pier was not undertaken by any specific department, he asked which department would be

responsible for the maintenance and management of the pier after the captioned works were

completed.

11. Mr. LI Kam-sang responded as follows:

(i) Although maritime works could be affected by weather, they expected that the works

could be completed within two years.

(ii) As the top of the proposed pier was four metres above sea level, the pier would not

be submerged by winds and waves under normal circumstances.

(iii) Regarding the works-related contingency measures, they would ask the contractor to

provide a temporary floating platform that would serve as berth facilities for users

such as fishermen.

(iv) The proposed permanent floating platform would be secured by four columns, and

each column was supported by two piles against the seabed so that the floating

platform could bob up and down the columns along the tides without being washed

away. Sam Mun Tsai Pier was located roughly within the typhoon shelter.

According to preliminary calculations, the chance of extreme waves was low (for

example, swells from South China Sea could not enter Tolo Harbour). In addition,

as the floating platform would be secured by piles, it was secure enough to withstand

winds and waves.

12. Mr. Francis LEE said that upon completion of the captioned works, the TD would be

responsible for the management of Sam Mun Tsai Pier, and the CEDD for maintenance works.

13. Mr. CHAN Chun-chit, Richard, asked what maintenance plans the CEDD had drawn up for

Sam Mun Tsai Pier so far, such as how to maintain the floating platform on a regular basis.

14. Mr. SO Tat-leung asked whether the four columns securing the floating platform were fixed

to the seabed rather than floating. Given that the top of the proposed pier would be four metres

above sea level, did it mean that it would be one metre higher than the current height above sea

level?

15. Mr. MAN Nim-chi, the Vice-chairman, asked which stakeholders the CEDD had consulted

about the captioned works, whether the quality of nearby waters would be affected when the works

were underway, and where pier users could board and alight when the works were underway.

16. The Chairman asked whether there were any other piers built in the form of floating platforms

that could serve as a reference for Members.

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17. Mr. Francis LEE responded as follows:

(i) The Port Works Division of CEDD was responsible for the maintenance of public

piers in Hong Kong. With an established maintenance plan, they carried out

inspections approximately every six months to a year. Whenever a storm had

passed, engineers from every district would also inspect the public piers in their

districts. If they found any damage on fittings such as the connecting piles and

platform accessories, they would replace them immediately.

(ii) The four columns securing the floating platform were fixed to the seabed rather than

floating.

(iii) The top of the proposed pier was +4.0mPD above sea level, which was one metre

higher than the existing pier.

(iv) The CEDD had consulted the relevant rural committees and villagers about the

captioned works. After finalising the detailed design, the department would carry

out further consultation.

(v) There were no floating platforms in other districts. However, a similar floating

platform would be built in Tuen Mun. To his knowledge, the kaito pier at Aberdeen

Typhoon Shelter had a small floating platform for users to board and alight.

18. Mr. LI Kam-sang responded as follows:

(i) When the captioned works were underway, they would monitor the environment and

water quality at the same time so as not to affect the water quality.

(ii) Regarding pier users’ boarding and alighting as well as the berthing arrangements

when the captioned works were underway, the contractor would provide a smaller

floating platform (similar in design to the proposed floating platform) for pier users

such as fishermen and passengers to board and alight. Meanwhile, the location of

the floating platform would have to be adjusted according to the works progress.

Therefore, the temporary berthing location would also be relocated according to the

works, so as to enable pier users to board and alight.

19. Mr. YIU Kwan-ho asked whether all the piers and landings were managed by the TD, or the

regular kaito services provided at Sam Mun Tsai Pier had made it necessary for the TD to manage

the pier.

20. Mr. Francis LEE said that all public piers were managed by the Government, while piers

providing kaito or licensed ferry services were managed by the TD. Smaller piers were managed

by the respective District Offices of the HAD, and the CEDD was responsible for the maintenance

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of all public piers.

21. Mr. YIU Kwan-ho said that no regular kaito services were provided at Pak Shek Kok Pier.

However, as problems were found at the landings there recently, he would like to know whether the

pier was managed by the HAD or TD.

22. Mr. Francis LEE said that he would reply to Mr. YIU Kwan-ho’s enquiry after the meeting.

(Post-meeting note: Regarding the enquiry in paragraph 21 above, the CEDD had replied to Mr. YIU

Kwan-ho by e-mail on 11 March 2021.)

23. The TTC supported the captioned works.

III. Specifications and requirements for the use of water-filled barriers on carriageways and for

roadside works in Tai Po District

(TPDC Papers No. TT 3/2021 and TT 4/2021)

24. The Chairman welcomed Ms. LEE Che-ying, Engineer / New Territories East (Distribution 4)

of the WSD, to attend the meeting for this agenda item.

25. Mr. Richard CHAN went through TPDC Paper No. TT 3/2021. He said some members of

the public had told him that the water-filled barriers placed out there were not up to standard. To

his understanding, water-filled barriers had to meet containment level T2. Showing a picture (see

Annex 2), he said that a pole was inserted vertically between water-filled barriers, and the pole was

wrapped with metal wires so that both sides were securely fastened to two water-filled barriers.

Only by doing so could water-filled barriers meet the standard. However, he noticed that the water-

filled barriers placed out there did not have the afore-mentioned fittings. Some of them were

fastened by mop sticks only, posing a danger to the pedestrians.

26. The Chairman said that the Architectural Services Department (“ArchSD”) had submitted a

reply but could not send representatives to this meeting. He asked Members to refer to TPDC

Paper No. TT 4/2021.

27. Mr. SIU Wai-kwan responded as follows:

(i) The HyD published the Code of Practice for the Lighting, Signing and Guarding of

Road Works (“COP”) in 2017. According to the legislation, the person in charge of

road works had to carry out works in accordance with the COP so as to ensure the

safety of road users and road works personnel.

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(ii) The COP did not specify any details about the materials and specifications of water-

filled barriers. However, it indicated clearly that water-filled barriers of certain

containment levels had to meet EN containment level T2. Meanwhile, the person

in charge of works had to submit the product manual and relevant test certificate

provided by the manufacturer of the water-filled barriers to the department concerned

so as to prove that the water-filled barriers met the afore-mentioned EN standard.

Therefore, if the water-filled barriers on the road were produced by different

manufacturers, their design details might be different.

(iii) The COP also indicated clearly the circumstances where water-filled barriers of EN

containment level T2 should be used.

28. Ms. LEE Che-ying said that when the WSD’s contractor was carrying out waterworks at the

junction of Po Heung Bridge, it had complied with the COP by setting up various road facilities,

including protective fences, protective components and accessories, of which the designs met the

COP’s requirements. The department had also verified that the water-filled barriers used in the

above works met the COP’s requirements. It had also sent officers to carry out regular inspections

during the works so as to ensure that the contractor had implemented measures in line with the

temporary traffic arrangements when the works were underway, and provided protective facilities

as required by the COP to ensure the safety of works personnel and road users.

29. Mr. Richard CHAN said that a water-filled barrier manufacturer had submitted a test report.

However, when members of the public asked whether the manufacturer had carried out the test on

BS EN Standard 1317, the manufacturer said that it had not and did not know how to. In this

connection, he said that it would be problematic if the contractor submitted the test report to the

HyD without understanding the content of the test. As water-filled barriers could indeed ensure

public safety, he hoped that the HyD would pay more attention to the above situation so as to make

improvements.

30. Mr. SIU Wai-kwan said that the manufacturer might not know exactly how to test the water-

filled barriers as the test was usually carried out by professional testing companies. The HyD

would examine all the information carefully before its maintenance contractors applied for using

water-filled barriers of containment level T2, and had to ensure that the water-filled barriers met the

COP’s requirements before giving approval. Factors to be considered included the information of

the testing company, whether the test report met the standard, whether the water-filled barriers met

the containment level, and the movements of water-filled barriers after collisions.

31. The Chairman asked whether the metal poles and cable ties shown in Annex 2 were necessary

for setting up water-filled barriers.

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32. Mr. SIU Wai-kwan said that individual water-filled barriers had to be secured properly to each

other during installation. However, the fittings used to secure water-filled barriers might vary from

manufacturer to manufacturer. Simply put, water-filled barriers met the COP’s requirements as

long as they met the EN containment standard.

33. The Chairman said that as the departments concerned had responded to Members’ enquiries,

it was not necessary to continue the discussion on the captioned agenda item.

IV. Matters relating to the traffic and bus stop facilities in Pak Shek Kok

(TPDC Papers No. TT 5/2021 and TT 5a/2021)

34. Mr. YIU Kwan-ho went through TPDC Paper No. TT 5/2021.

35. Mr. AU Kak-loi, Peter, went through TPDC Paper No. TT 5a/2021.

36. Mr. YIU Kwan-ho’s comments were as follows:

(i) The Town Planning Board approved the planning of The Horizon in 2014. The

conditions concerned stated that a bus bay had to be provided for public transport

before the change of land conditions was approved for the development of The

Horizon.

(ii) During the tender exercise for minibus route 806 at that time, there were plans to

provide minibus services travelling to The Horizon on the way to Tai Po. In this

connection, he asked whether the TD was still following up on the above minibus

route proposal.

(iii) He had inspected the temporary bus stop near Solaria, and saw about 240 people

waiting for buses from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. there. As such, he would like the TD

to complete the afore-mentioned bus stop works as soon as possible.

(iv) He asked the TD about the implementation date of the special departures of minibus

route 27A (via The Horizon), as well as the completion dates of the roundabout

widening works at Mayfair By The Sea and the bus turning area widening works at

Centra Horizon.

(v) He asked whether the TPDO had received any information from the TD regarding the

district consultation about the proposal to turn the planter near the stop at Fo Chun

Road Roundabout into a pedestrian way, and when the department planned to consult

the local community about the proposal.

(vi) He suggested incorporating the captioned agenda item into matters arising, and

asking the departments concerned to report on the progress on a regular basis.

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37. Mr. Peter AU responded as follows:

(i) He would reply to Mr. YIU Kwan-ho after the meeting as regards his enquiry about

minibus services from The Horizon to Tai Po.

(ii) The TD was conducting district consultation on the special departures of minibus

route 27A. After consolidating the views, the department would consider them

carefully before following up with the operator. If the above proposal was feasible,

the department would implement it as soon as possible.

(iii) Regarding the timetable of the widening works at the pick-up / drop-off lay-by on

Chong San Road, the TD was dealing with the opposing views. As the proposed

works involved many underground facilities, it might take longer to carry out. In

addition, some opined that they would like to reserve more green areas. Therefore,

the TD would launch the works as soon as possible after discussing with the

departments concerned and reviewing the scale of works.

(iv) The TD was conducting district consultation on the proposal to turn the planter into

a pedestrian way to expand the passenger waiting area at Mayfair By The Sea. Upon

completion of the consultation, the department would consider the views collected

from the consultation. If the proposal was feasible, the department would consider

when to implement it.

38. Mr. HO Ching-yeung, Jonathan, said that regarding the enquiry in paragraph 36(v) above, the

TPDO would contact Mr. YIU Kwan-ho and provide supplementary information after the meeting.

39. Mr. YIU Kwan-ho asked when the TD would launch the three works above if the results of

consultation were positive, and how long the works would take.

40. Mr. Peter AU said that the TD would consolidate the views of local community as soon as

possible. If there were no objections, the department would launch the works as soon as possible.

41. The Chairman suggested the TD consolidate the information of the works concerned and give

Mr. YIU Kwan-ho a specific timetable after the meeting.


(i) Regarding the proposal to widen the bus stop on Chong San Road, the HyD had to

relocate the underground facilities before carrying out the works. However, as there

were many uncertainties, such as the need to relocate the trees and the presence of

several ducts and pipes of underground facilities, the HyD had to examine the impact

of the works on the underground facilities and discuss with the operators concerned

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before drawing up a timetable for the relocation of underground facilities.

(ii) Regarding the bus stop works at Mayfair By The Sea, the TD stated that the trees

nearby had to be preserved. However, as the trees there covered a large area, if the

area was turned into a pedestrian way, the growth of trees would be affected.

Therefore, the trees might not be preserved in the way requested by the TD. The

department would study with the LCSD. If they found that the trees could not be

preserved, they would explore ways to remove them so as to launch the works. As

the uncertainties of this project were fewer than those of the widening works of Chong

San Road bus stop, he expected that it would take about a year to apply for the

relocation of trees.

43. Mr. YAM Kai-bong said that as Pak Shek Kok was a new community, its underground facilities

such as ducts were not as complicated as those in old communities. Therefore, he hoped that the

HyD would collect the latest information so as to speed up the works progress and provide Pak Shek

Kok residents with new bus stops and transport facilities as soon as possible, rather than spending a

year on the works.

44. Mr. MAN Nim-chi, the Vice-chairman, opined that the department concerned should deal with

the reconstruction of Fu Heng bus stop in a more proactive manner. He said that, for example, the

department concerned had in 2020 informed Members that it wold rebuild the bus bays at Fu Heng

bus stop. After site inspection, it stated that there had not been any progress as the old trees could

not be removed. He and Mr. HO Wai-lam received many complaints every day, with the

complainants calling for improvement to the outbound traffic of Fu Heng Estate. However,

constrained by its design, the bus stop could not provide any more outbound traffic options.

Therefore, he suggested the department concerned improve the facilities, such as bus stops, in old

communities.

45. Mr. YIU Kwan-ho hoped that the department concerned would implement the afore-mentioned

suggestion as soon as possible. He also hoped that the TPDO could finish the district consultation

mentioned in paragraph 36(v) above as soon as possible so as to explore ways to implement the

suggestion, and inform him of the views collected during the consultation.


(i) He agreed that it was more difficult to relocate underground facilities in old

communities compared with those in new communities.

(ii) The pedestrian way along Chong San Road was wider. However, in addition to

considering whether there was sufficient room for relocating the underground

facilities, it was also necessary to assess the impact of relocation. For instance, the

relocation of high voltage cables could have a huge impact and took many years to

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complete. In this connection, the HyD had to determine the scale of works first and

then ask the operator about the alignment before further discussing and drawing up a

works schedule. As the works location and underground facilities to be relocated

were still to be confirmed, a specific works schedule could not be provided.

However, it did not mean that the works would definitely take longer.

(iii) The TD and HyD would like to revise the works design so as to launch the works as

soon as possible without affecting the underground facilities.

(iv) Regarding the views in paragraph 44 above, he said that the HyD always attached

great importance to the impact of works on old trees. Therefore, it would neither

remove them nor affect their growth wherever possible. To this end, he would ask

the engineers in-charge to review the design proactively so as to launch the works as

soon as possible without affecting the old trees.

47. The Chairman said that the TTC would continue to discuss the captioned agenda item.

V. Request to provide whole-day bus routes during non-peak hours for areas in Tai Po not served

by bus route 73X

(TPDC Papers No. TT 6/2021 and TT 6a/2021)

48. Mr. YIU Kwan-ho went through TPDC Paper No. TT 6/2021, and said that bus route 73X had

special return departures travelling past Pak Shek Kok in the evening. However, as the special

departures were served by buses of route 73X, residents of Tai Po town centre and Pak Shek Kok

were easily confused. As such, he hoped that KMB would use a new route number for the special

departures. In addition, bus route 73X did not travel to Tai Wo and Wan Tau Tong in both outbound

and return trips. If KMB opined that providing stops at the above locations was not cost-effective,

he suggested KMB consider other plans. For instance, a Pak Shek Kok stop could be added in the

return trips of bus route 273P, while bus route 73X did not have to travel past Pak Shek Kok during

the evening peak hours. He opined that these suggestions could reduce confusion.

49. Mr. Peter AU went through TPDC Paper No. TT 6a/2021. In addition, the TD would work

with KMB to explore measures to prevent residents from confusing the routing of bus route 73X.

50. Mr. CHAN Chung-yi responded as follows:

(i) Preliminary estimate was that the new routing of bus route 73X in Tai Po District

suggested by Mr. YIU Kwan-ho would take more than 30 minutes. However, when

KMB draw up the routing of bus routes, it would prevent long-haul routes from

spending too much time in the district wherever possible, so as to encourage more

passengers to take the bus routes and to maximise the use of resources.

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(ii) KMB would discuss with the TD how to prevent residents from confusing the routing

of the special departures of bus route 73X. As an initial plan, a new bus route

number would be used for the special departures so that passengers could tell them

apart more easily.

(iii) The existing routing of bus route 273P was the same as some of the routes suggested

by Mr. YIU Kwan-ho. Before the fourth wave of epidemic, the hourly occupancy

rate of bus route 273P during peak hours was less than 50%. Therefore, KMB had

to study whether it was feasible to provide additional departures in this situation.

51. Mr. YIU Kwan-ho opined that it was not reasonable to ask residents to go to Tsuen Wan by

taking the Mass Transit Railway (“MTR”) or bus and then changing to bus route 73X. If KMB

found his suggestion not feasible, it should explore other feasible suggestions. For instance,

someone had preliminarily suggested adding a Pak Shek Kok stop in the return trips of bus route

273P, or arranging for some departures or non-peak hour departures of bus route 73X to depart from

Fu Heng Bus Terminus.


(i) Members had been striving for the provision of more bus services between Tai Po

and Kwai Tsing Districts (including Kwai Chung, Kwai Fong and Tsing Yi), and

hoped that the Bus Route Planning Programme of Tai Po District for next year would

be implemented.

(ii) KMB should have data on passengers of bus routes 46X, 47X and 49X who changed

to bus route 73X at Shing Mun Tunnels Bus Interchange on the way to Tai Po, and

the data could show the demand of these passengers for going to Tai Po. As such,

KMB should also consider expanding the service area of bus route 73X in Kwai Tsing

District. He said that, for example, Members had taken bus routes 46X and 47X

during the evening peak hours. A lot of passengers boarded the bus in Kwai Fong

before changing to bus routes 73X and 278X at Shing Mun Tunnels Bus Interchange.

It showed exactly the transport demand of the area concerned. In this connection,

he hoped KMB and TD could understand that Members did not only want to enhance

the bus services between Tai Po and Tsuen Wan, but to enhance those towards Kwai

Chung, Tsing Yi and Tsuen Wan as well. The reason was that, like Tsuen Wan, Kwai

Fong and Kwai Tsing were industrial and commercial areas. Furthermore, as the

container terminals were still in operation, there was a certain demand from

passengers. Therefore, even if KMB and TD would not consider enhancing the

services of bus route 73X in Tsuen Wan, they should consider enhancing its services

towards Kwai Tsing District.

(iii) According to the suggested route in the captioned paper, the stops between Tai Wo

and Pak Shek Kok accounted for one third of the proposed route. However, he did

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not agree that KMB should refuse to adjust bus route 73X on the ground that the bus

journey in Tai Po District was too long. The reason was that the proposed route

could allow more Tai Po residents to take bus route 73X to go to Shing Mun Tunnels

Bus Interchange, from where they could head to Tsuen Wan and Kwai Tsing Districts

directly.

53. Mr. Peter AU said that the TD had noted Members’ views. It would continue to monitor the

changes in population and transport needs in various districts so as to provide additional public

transport services in a timely manner, such as the bus services between Tai Po and the vicinity of

Kwai Fong and Kwai Hing. In the Bus Route Planning Programme 2021-2022 of Tai Po District,

the department had, having regard to passengers’ demand, suggested providing more return trips of

bus route 272P and enhancing its services during peak hours.


(i) Regarding the proposal to provide more return trips of bus route 273P and enhance

the bus services to Fu Heng during non-peak hours, KMB had earmarked resources

to implement the suggestions in the Bus Route Planning Programme 2021-2022 of

Tai Po District on the enhancement of bus route 272P. The suggestions included

enhancing the services from Fu Heng to Wan Tau Tong and Pak Shek Kok on the way

to Cheung Sha Wan and Kwai Hing during the morning peak hours, and providing

more return trips in the afternoon (from Kwai Hing and Cheung Sha Wan via Pak

Shek Kok and Wan Tau Tong).

(ii) Regarding the bus services between Tai Po and Tsuen Wan-Kwai Chung, an

additional return trip of bus route 73P would be provided starting from the following

week (8 March). As it would depart from Nina Tower in Tsuen Wan and travel past

the industrial area near Wing Kei Road and Kwai Fuk Road, it could pick up

passengers in Kwai Fong on the way back to Tai Po. Therefore, KMB would review

the passengers’ demand for travelling between Tai Po and Kwai Fong. If the

demand was high, KMB would be happy to enhance the services of bus route 73P.


(i) After bus route 272P had been rerouted to travel on Tsing Sha Highway in 2015,

Members had immediately suggested enhancing the services towards Kwai Fong.

(ii) He asked the TD and KMB to submit the passenger data of bus routes 46X, 47X and

49X who changed to bus route 73X at the Working Group on Provision of Public Bus

and Minibus Services meeting (“WGBM”). If many passengers changed to bus

route 73X, more resources should be devoted to enhance the services of bus route

272P, instead of just maintaining the existing services (i.e., two outbound trips and

- 15 -

two return trips), thereby improving the bus services between Tai Po and Kwai Tsing

Districts.

(iii) Before the epidemic, Members had noticed that both the outbound and return trips of

bus route 73X were already full upon arrival at Shing Mun Tunnels Bus Interchange.

As a result, passengers of bus routes 46X and 47X generally had to wait for two to

three buses of route 73X before they could board the bus. He speculated that the

above situation would continue. Therefore, the TD and KMB should not refuse to

provide additional services between Tai Po and Kwai Chung on the ground that

passengers could return to Tai Po by changing to bus route 73X at Shing Mun Tunnels

Bus Interchange.

56. Mr. YIU Kwan-ho said that according to the Bus Route Planning Programme 2021-2022 of

Tai Po District, the TD expected to provide additional return trips of bus route 272P in the first

quarter of 2022 to enhance the services during peak hours. In this connection, he asked whether

the return trips could be provided in the evening as soon as possible. In addition, he asked the TD

and KMB about their views on the suggestion to arrange for bus route 73X to depart from Fu Heng

during non-peak hours.

57. The Chairman said that the WGBM would hold a meeting in late March, at which Members

could discuss the Bus Route Planning Programme 2021-2022 of Tai Po District in detail.


(i) Regarding paragraph 55(ii) above, KMB would report on the data concerned to

WGBM members.

(ii) KMB had earmarked resources to implement the proposed services of bus route 272P

in the Bus Route Planning Programme 2021-2022 of Tai Po District. Therefore,

although the route was supposed to be implemented in the first quarter of 2022, KMB

would keep in view the passengers’ demand and implement the route earlier where

necessary.

(iii) Regarding the suggestion to extend the routing of bus route 73X during non-peak

hours, KMB would study the feasibility with the TD and relevant stakeholders.

59. Mr. Peter AU said that the TD had noted Members’ suggestion to extend the routing of bus

route 73X during non-peak hours. However, it was necessary to consider carefully the impact of

the suggestion on the existing passengers. The TD would also work with KMB to study the

feasibility of the suggestion.

60. The Chairman asked the TD and KMB to provide the data mentioned in paragraph 55(ii) above

as soon as possible.

- 16 -

61. Mr. TAM Tsun-hei, Jeff, said that as KMB was subject to regulation by the TD, it had to discuss

with the department how to provide Members with the data mentioned in paragraph 55(ii) above.

VI. Matters arising from the 6th meeting in 2020 of the TTC on 6 November 2020

(1) Matters relating to the vehicle noise problem in Tai Po District

62. The Chairman said that the Environmental Protection Department (“EPD”) and TD could not

send officers to attend the meeting. He asked Members about their views on the captioned issue.

63. As Members had discussed the issue concerned many times, and no Members expressed their

views at the meeting, the Chairman suggested that it was not necessary to continue the discussion.

64. Mr. MAN Nim-chi, the Vice-chairman, said that to his observation, there were still illegal road

racing and noise emitted by vehicles at night in Tai Po District. Therefore, he found it necessary

to continue to follow up on and discuss the issue concerned. The EPD had stated that it had provide

acoustic advice for the HKPF. As such, he would like the department to provide data to show how

effective the measures were.

65. Mr. LAM Ming-yat, Nick, opined that the departments always passed the buck on every issue.

Therefore, he was worried that even if the captioned agenda item continued to be discussed, the

problem could not be resolved. He asked whether there were any channels for them to

communicate with the policy bureaux so as to deal with the problem at source.

66. Mr. YIU Kwan-ho said that as the EPD basically just dealt with the vehicle noise problem in

line with the HKPF’s operations, he suggested incorporating the captioned agenda item into the

regular discussion items of TTC, and asking the HKPF to report on the data about the actions taken

against vehicle noise problem in that agenda item, such as how many prosecution notices had been

issued, how many times roadblocks had been set up, etc.

67. Mr. AU Chun-wah suggested incorporating the captioned agenda item into the discussion

items to be discussed with the Legislative Council members in the future.

68. Mr. TAM Yi-pui said that he had been informed by the HKFP that it had carried out operations

against vehicle noise problem. At the previous meeting, Members had suggested a joint meeting

be held by the EPD, TD and HKPF to discuss ways to deal with vehicle noise problem. He asked

whether the HKPF had held such a meeting and how much progress had been made.

- 17 -

69. Mr. Richard CHAN said the EPD had stated at the meeting that it would consider drawing on

the experience in its “Smoky Vehicle Control Programme and Spotter Training” to deal with vehicle

noise problem. However, it had not given any specific response yet. Vehicle noise problem had

a serious impact on members of the public. Therefore, he agreed with Mr. YIU Kwan-ho’s

suggestion to incorporate the captioned agenda item into the regular discussion items of TTC.

70. Mr. TSUI Yik-fuk responded as follows:

(i) The TD’s representatives had stated at the previous meeting that the TD, EPD and

HKPF had held a meeting to discuss vehicle noise problem and job division among

them. They pointed out that they had introduced relevant devices with reference to

other countries, and the HKPF would mainly be responsible for law enforcement

actions. Therefore, it would be ideal if the devices concerned were available for law

enforcement actions.

(ii) When the HKPF took law enforcement actions, it mainly examined whether the

vehicles were defective. Traffic New Territories North Headquarters also took the

leading role. It worked with Tai Po Police District to carry out anti-crime patrol

operations in Tai Po District, including intercepting vehicles, setting up roadblocks

and clamping down on drunk driving, according to the geographical environment and

operation needs.

(iii) In 2020, Traffic New Territories North Headquarters had delivered a total of 188

vehicles to Tai Lam Chung Police Vehicle Pound for examination, after these vehicles

had been deemed non-roadworthy and then immediately towed away by the HKPF.

If the vehicles were found to be defective, the HKPF would prosecute the vehicles

owners. Traffic New Territories North Headquarters had also issued defective

vehicles notices to 289 vehicles, more than those in 2019 (when a total of 166 non-

roadworthy vehicles had been towed away and 178 defective vehicle notices issued).

(iv) The HKPF would continue to enforce the law in a stringent manner to prevent

defective vehicles from travelling on the road.

71. Mr. Richard CHAN asked whether the departments concerned could provide Members with

the minutes of the meeting mentioned in paragraph 70(i) above.

72. Mr. TSUI Yik-fuk said that according to the discussion at the meeting mentioned in paragraph

70(i) above, the departments opined that the TD should be responsible for vehicle registration,

whereas the HKPF the law enforcement actions against vehicle noise.

73. The Chairman’s comments were as follows:

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(i) He suggested asking the EPD and TD’s Vehicle Safety and Standards Division to

provide details after the meeting.

(ii) As Members were still unclear about the captioned agenda item and found it

necessary to follow up on the issue concerned, he suggested incorporating this agenda

item into the regular discussion items of TTC for further follow-up actions. Law

enforcement actions against illegal road racing and vehicle noise problem should also

be followed up in those discussion items.

(iii) He suggested the HKPF submit a written report to give Members the data concerned,

including the numbers of non-roadworthy vehicles prosecuted, defective vehicle

notices issued, and law enforcement operations taken against illegal road racing.

(2) Matters relating to the construction of noise barriers between Chong San Road and Tolo

Highway


74. The Chairman said that the EPD had submitted a reply but could not send officers to attend

this meeting. He asked Members to refer to TPDC Paper No. TT 7/2021.

75. Mr. YIU Kwan-ho said that the EPD did not send officers to attend the meeting, but he still

had a lot of questions for the EPD, such as how it measured the decibel levels of noise; and on which

day, what time and where the decibel levels were measured. Therefore, he would like to continue

to discuss the captioned agenda item. The department replied that the decibel levels measured in

the flats of the housing estate concerned met the road traffic noise level (70 dB(A)) required by the

Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines. The residents had also measured the noise level

by themselves, and the result was 69 dB, i.e., not exceeding the standard level. However, he

wondered whether the department would not consider constructing noise barriers as long as the

afore-mentioned road traffic noise level standard was met. Therefore, he hoped that the department

could send officers to respond at the meeting.

76. Mr. Richard CHAN said that when the Director of Highways (“DHy”) attended the TPDC

meeting, he had suggested DHy explore the possibility of using noise barriers as the support for the

covers above the road section concerned. At that time, DHy said that he would study the feasibility

of doing so. He asked about the progress of the study.

77. The Chairman said that he would invite the EPD to send officers to attend the meeting to report

on how the captioned issue had been followed up and respond to Members’ questions.

- 19 -

78. Mr. SIU Wai-kwan said that the HyD had studied the suggestion mentioned in paragraph 76

above. The department also had a team of staff responsible for the construction of noise barriers.

As a preliminary plan, the department would consider studying whether it was possible to use the

proposed new noise barriers to support the covers above the road section concerned, so as not to

spend extra public money to modify the existing noise barriers. Meanwhile, the bases of the

existing noise barriers might not be able to support the extended structure. However, the study

findings were not available yet. He would ask the relevant departmental staff to study the matter

proactively before reporting to Mr. Richard CHAN on the study findings.

79. Mr. Richard CHAN said that as the works on Tai Wo Service Road West had been completed

for just a few years, the noise barriers were still brand new. However, as the bus stop (especially

the southbound one) on Tai Wo Service Road West were originally located next to the noise barrier,

and there were a lot of underground ducts under the slip roads, it was difficult to build covers above

the bus stop directly. As noise barriers had been constructed along the entire Tai Wo Service Road

West, if they could be used to support the covers of pedestrian walkways, it would be possible to

build covers above the bus stop as well. In addition, if he and Mr. LAM Yick-kuen would like to

submit the relevant discussion papers, should they submit them to the TTC or Planning, Housing

and Works Committee?

80. The Chairman said that if Mr. Richard CHAN opined that the noise barriers in the district had

to be used to support the covers of pedestrian ways, he and Mr. LAM Yick-kuen could contact the

HyD after the meeting, informing it of the location of the proposed facilities. If Mr. CHAN found

it necessary to further discuss the issue, he could submit discussion papers to the TTC for follow-up

actions.

(3) Matters relating to Lam Kam Road Interchange


81. Ms. LEE Wing-sum, Summer, went through TPDC Paper No. TT 13/2021.

82. Mr. MAN Nim-chi, the Vice-chairman, asked the TD and HKPF whether vehicles could cut

out from the inner circle of roundabout to travel towards Tolo Highway.

83. Mr. Richard CHAN said that he had carried out site inspection with the TD’s staff, and found

that motorists had clear vision at the exit concerned. However, as vehicles would cut from the

inner circle into the outer circle of roundabout directly at present, and there were broken lines on the

carriageway, he suggested the TD consider adding the road markings commonly known as “half-

and-half lines” to prevent vehicles from cutting from the inner circle into the outer circle directly.

Vehicles heading to Tolo Highway should enter the outer circle as early as possible. He indicated

that although there were not many traffic accidents at the captioned roundabout, vehicles always cut

- 20 -

from the inner circle into the outer circle of roundabout directly, causing nuisance to the vehicles

travelling at the outer circle. To his understanding, vehicles cutting lanes were against the law if

they obstructed other road users or caused other moving vehicles to stop and give way. In this

connection, he asked how the HKPF would help reduce the above situation.

84. Ms. Summer LEE said that when Mr. Richard CHAN and the TD’s engineers carried out site

inspection, they noticed that motorists driving along the inner lane had clear vision. In general, if

the vision was clear, motorists should look at the surroundings carefully and make sure that the

environment was safe before cutting lanes, regardless of whether they were driving at roundabouts

or on ordinary roads. Therefore, if motorists had clear vision on the road concerned, and they could

make judgement while driving, the department would not add the road markings commonly known

as “half-and-half lines”.

85. Mr. TSUI Yik-fuk said that any prudent motorists approaching positions for cutting lanes,

including the captioned roundabout, should anticipate whether there was sufficient room for cutting

lanes before using the lanes of other vehicles. They should also get prepared before cutting lanes,

including using the rear-view mirrors to observe, giving signals and looking back to check the blind

spots.

86. Mr. MAN Nim-chi, the Vice-chairman, asked the HKPF whether motorists could cut from the

inner lane into the single-lane exit of the roundabout directly as long as they did not cause any traffic

accidents.

87. Mr. TSUI Yik-fuk said that for a roundabout with two lanes, if motorists driving on the inner

lane would like to travel from the slip road to the expressway, they had to cut into the lane of other

vehicles. Before doing so, they had to give way to vehicles on the major lane towards the

expressway. If motorists missed a certain exit, they had to keep driving around the roundabout.

88. Mr. Richard CHAN understood why the TD did not want to add “half-and-half lines” at the

exit concerned. However, he indicated that vehicles always cut lanes at the exit concerned,

obstructing the motorists on the major lane without bearing any consequences. If other motorists

could not brake in time, traffic accidents could happen easily. He opined that the HKPF should

remind road users who cut lanes and teach them about the driving attitude necessary for passing the

exit concerned. He added that on the day he and the TD’s engineers carried out the site inspection,

they saw many vehicles cutting from the inner circle into the outer circle of the roundabout directly

in a matter of 15 minutes. Therefore, the HKPF could serve educational purposes without having

to deploy officers to stay there very long.

89. Mr. TSUI Yik-fuk said that the way motorists cut lanes depended on their driving attitude,

such as whether they were prudent and would give way to other road users. The HKPF carried out

patrols at different locations, including the captioned roundabout, from time to time. However, it

- 21 -

could not pool all its resources to the same location as the same situation was also found at other

roundabouts in Tai Po District. Therefore, motorists should observe the situation at the junction

before cutting lanes, and drive according to the road conditions and the rules stipulated in the Road

Users’ Code.

90. The Chairman asked whether the TD could set up road signs at the roundabout to remind

motorists that they had to observe the road conditions of the major lane before cutting lanes, if it

would not add “half-and-half” road markings at the junction concerned.

91. Ms. Summer LEE said that the TD could study the feasibility of the Chairman’s suggestion

above. She indicated that the department had set up road signs at the roundabouts in other districts.

However, as motorists had to pay attention to various road conditions while driving at roundabouts,

they might not have enough time to look at the road signs. Therefore, the road signs might not be

as effective as expected.

92. The Chairman suggested that it was not necessary to continue to discuss the captioned agenda

item. Mr. Richard CHAN could follow up with the TD after the meeting, where necessary.

(4) Request to improve the traffic conditions on Ting Kok Road


93. The Chairman welcomed Mr. CHAN Kam-shing, Eddie, and Mr. WONG Kwok-wai, Anthony,

Senior Executive Officer (Planning) 23 and Deputy District Leisure Manager (Tai Po) 2 respectively

of the LCSD; and Mr. LAM Chi-kuen, Leo, and Mr. CHAN Kam-fai, Senior Engineer / Projects 3

and Engineer / Projects 3D respectively of the CEDD, to attend the meeting for this agenda item.

He also asked the departmental representatives concerned to respond to the views put forward by

Members at the previous meeting for this agenda item.

94. Mr. CHAN Kam-shing, Eddie, said that the works at Lung Mei Beach were almost completed,

and the fee-paying public car park there had been put into service since 1 December 2020. At

present, the contractor was working on the exterior of lookout towers and carrying out landscaping

works. The LCSD and ArchSD as well as other engineering departments were preparing for the

restoration works and handover upon completion of the project.

95. Mr. WONG Kwok-wai, Anthony, said that the opening date of Lung Mei Beach depended on

the progress of the works mentioned in paragraph 94 above. After completion of the works, the

LCSD would arrange for set-ups and facilities. He expected that the beach would be opened in the

2021 swimming season.

- 22 -

96. Regarding the paper submitted by Mr. SO Tat-leung (see Annex 3) and the questions put

forward by Members at the TPDC meeting on 2 March, Mr. LAM Chi-kuen, Leo, responded as

follows:

(i) Regarding Question 1 in Annex 3, the Government had adjusted the duration of traffic

lights on Ting Kok Road (eastbound) and Ting Kok Road (westbound) on 20 February

2021, increasing it from 44 seconds to 65. At present, there were no traffic

congestion on the road section concerned, and the Government would keep in view

the situation.

(ii) Regarding Question 2 in Annex 3, the CEDD had informed the TD, and the TD had

also agreed to remove the two existing road markings (go straight and turn right) in

March so that vehicles travelling from Tai Po to Lung Mei Beach would not be

mistaken that they could turn right there. By doing so, vehicles would neither be

confused nor travel against the traffic. In addition, vehicles heading towards Tai Po

were currently not allowed to turn right into the slip road at Seaview Villas. At

present, the traffic light signals were divided into four phases. If an additional traffic

light was set up for vehicles to turn right into the slip road at Seaview Villas, the time

of traffic lights had to be increased from four phases to five phases, and that would

increase the waiting time of vehicles on the eastbound and westbound lanes of Ting

Kok Road. The Government suggested that vehicles intending to turn right at the

above road section should travel further ahead to Lo Tsz Tin Tsuen before turning

right. Alternatively, they could turn at the next junction of Ting Kok Road into Shan

Liu Road so as to proceed to the destination via Ting Kok Road (eastbound).

(iii) Regarding Question 3 in Annex 3, the CEDD would work with the TD to study the

design of the junction towards Tai Mei Tuk for turning left into the small road.

(iv) Regarding Question 4 in Annex 3, the CEDD would work with the TD to study

whether it was possible to draw yellow box markings in Lo Tsz Tin Tsuen to prevent

vehicle queues from obstructing the junction concerned.

(v) At the afore-mentioned TPDC meeting, Mr. SO Tat-leung and Mr. YAM Kai-bong

had asked the department to study the feasibility of setting up traffic lights at the

junction concerned to control the traffic there. They had also asked the department

to install traffic detectors to adjust the time of traffic light signals. In this

connection, the CEDD would work with the TD to study the design of the junction

concerned. As the latest information on the traffic flow of Ting Kok Road,

particularly during the afternoon peak hours on Saturdays and Sundays, was not

available at present, the CEDD would conduct a traffic flow survey as soon as

possible so as to examine the traffic flow in all directions of the junction and record

the number of pedestrians and bicycles on the cycle track. After collecting above

data, the CEDD and TD would explore and implement the traffic improvement

- 23 -

measures.

(vi) At the afore-mentioned TPDC meeting, Mr. MAN Nim-chi, the Vice-chairman, had

suggested setting up red light cameras and speed enforcement cameras at the junction

concerned. The CEDD had reserved space at the junction earlier for setting up

speed enforcement cameras, and would carry out an inspection again with the HKPF

this afternoon (5 March) to determine the final location for setting up the cameras

and arrange for installation. To address the issue of jumping red lights, the CEDD

would discuss the installation details of red light cameras with the HKPF and TD.

The HKPF and TD would also consider the proposal to set up red light cameras,

having regard to the overall traffic conditions of Ting Kok Road.

(vii) He briefed on the preliminary plan of the traffic flow survey (see Annex 4), and said

that he and the TD would decide on the final plan as soon as possible. The plan was

expected to be implemented the following day (6 March) the soonest.

97. Mr. Anthony WONG said that the TD and CEDD would continue to monitor the traffic

conditions closely, and advise on the traffic improvement measures from the transport engineering

perspective where necessary. He added that when deciding whether to draw yellow box markings

at the junction between Lo Tsz Tin Tsuen and Ting Kok Road, it was necessary to consider whether

vehicles were often obstructed and therefore unable to turn right into Ting Kok Road.


(i) Regarding changing the duration of traffic lights from 44 seconds at present to 65, he

asked whether the traffic flow at the car park was higher than that on Ting Kok Road,

and whether the duration of traffic lights at the car park would also be increased. He

pointed out that if the duration of traffic lights were also increased, the existing

problem would not be resolved. Therefore, in addition to increasing the duration of

traffic lights, the department also had to examine the time allocation.

(ii) Since the car park began operation in December 2020, he had been following up on

the situation with the CEDD and TD. However, he was disappointed that the

departments concerned did not adjust the duration of traffic lights until the end of

February after traffic problems had occurred on the second and third days of Lunar

New Year. His office was located at Shan Liu Road, and he could see the traffic

conditions there every day. He believed that the traffic problems that had occurred

on the second and third days of Lunar New Year would not happen again in the next

two months. He believed that even if the departments concerned sent staff to the

scene, they would not be able to see the situation above. However, he hoped that

the traffic improvement measures implemented by the departments concerned could

deal with the surge in traffic flow after the opening of Lung Mei Beach.

- 24 -


(i) He asked whether the pedestrian signals currently set up at the four pedestrian

crossings were operated manually or switched signals regularly. If not many

pedestrians crossed the road, the department could consider installing manually-

operated pedestrian signals to shorten the time of traffic light signals and give the

vehicles more time to travel.

(ii) At the afore-mentioned TPDC meeting, he had suggested the department consider

installing traffic detectors at the junction concerned to adjust the duration of traffic

lights. He indicated that the car park provided about 100 parking spaces at present,

and vehicles did not enter and leave the car park frequently. Therefore, if too much

time was reserved for vehicles to enter and leave the car park, traffic on the trunk

road (namely the eastbound and westbound directions of Ting Kok Road) would be

affected. He hoped that the department would install traffic detectors at the exits of

the car park (namely locations G and F marked in Annex 4). Without the traffic

detectors, the duration of traffic lights in the eastbound and westbound directions of

Ting Kok Road would be lengthened.

(iii) In addition to the locations mentioned in paragraph 99(ii) above, he also suggested

installing traffic detectors at other locations, including (1) the turn on the right in front

of the entrance to the car park: when vehicles travelled past the detector, the traffic

light on Ting Kok Road (from Tai Mei Tuk to Lo Tsz Tin Tsuen) would change to red

to give vehicles enough room to enter the car park; (2) the junction leading to Seaview

Villas: while he was not sure whether the site was government or private land, the

junction was not a common and formal access point. Furthermore, traffic flow was

the highest in both directions of Ting Kok Road, but lower at the junction of Seaview

Villas and the car park. Therefore, he opined that the time of traffic light signals

should be controlled flexibly according to the actual demand.


(i) To his understanding, after the opening of Lung Mei Beach, the existing car park

might not be able to provide enough parking spaces. As such, some operators were

applying for operating private car parks in Lo Tsz Tin Tsuen. This initiative would

increase the traffic flow of the two junctions leading to Lo Tsz Tin Tsuen, and the

departments concerned might not be able to measure the additional traffic flow at

present.

(ii) After the opening of Lung Mei Beach, if the parking spaces at the nearby car park

were insufficient, there would be illegally parked vehicles in the area, and the traffic

problems on Ting Kok Road would deteriorate.

- 25 -

101. Mr. LAU Yung-wai said that to his understanding, the department concerned might use

staggered crossings at road sections with a high pedestrian flow. In this connection, he asked the

TD why the design of pedestrian ways (1) and (2) in Annex 4 was different from that of pedestrian

ways (5) and (6).

102. Mr. CHAN Kam-fai responded as follows:

(i) Regarding the question in paragraph 99(i) above, the pedestrian signals concerned

changed signals at regular intervals and had no buttons for manual operation.

(ii) Regarding the proposal to install traffic detectors at the junction outside the car park,

the CEDD had studied it during construction and consulted the gate supplier, which

stated that it was not possible to set up a gate detector and a traffic detector at the

same location. Therefore, the final decision was to set up a gate detector only.

(iii) Regarding the proposal to set up traffic detectors at the junction leading from Lo Tsz

Tin Tsuen to Ting Kok Road, it was not possible to do so as the site there was not part

of the road.

(iv) Regarding the proposal to set up traffic detectors at the junction leading form Ting

Kok Road (eastbound) to the car park, as the CEDD had not considered it during the

design and construction stages, it was necessary to study the feasibility with the TD.

(v) Regarding the question in paragraph 98(i) above, the duration of traffic signals used

to be 100 seconds per cycle before the adjustment, and had now been increased to

120. The additional 20 seconds were allocated to the traffic signals in the eastbound

and westbound directions of Ting Kok Road, while the duration of traffic signals at

other locations remained unchanged. Therefore, the duration of traffic signals in the

eastbound and westbound directions of Ting Kok Road was longer than that at other

locations.

(vi) To his observation, road traffic was more congested during the Lunar New Year.

The CEDD would conduct a traffic flow survey to provide data for the TD to consider

ways to deal with the traffic problems at the junction concerned on Saturdays and

Sundays. In addition, the CEDD would work with the departments concerned, such

as the TD and HKPF, to explore back-up plans in response to the surge in traffic flow

after the opening of Lung Mei Beach and on special days.

(vii) Regarding the question in paragraph 101 above, pedestrian ways (1) and (2) in

Annex 4 were designed as staggered crossings, and pedestrian ways (5) and (6) as

single crossings, given the locations of traffic lights at the junction concerned.

103. Mr. WONG Ka-lam, Matthew, explained the proposal to design pedestrian ways (1) and (2)

as staggered crossings. According to the existing design, when vehicles were travelling along

either the eastbound or westbound direction of Ting Kok Road, pedestrians could cross the road

- 26 -

without having to wait until all the vehicles had come to a stop, and the waiting time of vehicles and

pedestrians was thus reduced. Besides, the department also had to carry out traffic flow surveys

on Sundays, in addition to Saturdays.

104. Mr. LAU Yung-wai clarified that he found it appropriate for pedestrian ways (1) and (2) to be

designed as staggered crossings. Therefore, he would like to ask why pedestrian ways (5) and (6)

were not designed as staggered crossings to ensure pedestrians’ safety.

105. Mr. SO Tat-leung said that he would like the departments concerned to pay attention to the

views he had put forward in paragraph 100 above, and draw up improvement measures as soon as

possible. In addition, he indicated that if vehicles would like to travel to Tai Mei Tuk and turn right

into the car park but found that the car park was full, they could only wait there for a moment or go

straight along the left lane. However, vehicles going straight along the left lane could also cause

danger as there were also vehicles travelling on the left lane. Therefore, he opined that the

departments concerned also had to explore measures to avoid danger.

106. Mr. YIU Yeuk-sang indicated that vehicles ready to turn right at the junction on Ting Kok

Road towards Fung Yuen often cut the lane abruptly onto the left lane. As such, traffic accidents

happened at Fung Yuen and Ha Hang sections every week. In light of the situation mentioned in

paragraph 105 above, it could be predicted that these accidents would also happen at the junction

concerned. Therefore, he suggested the department concerned widen the carriageway at location

E in Annex 4 for vehicles to stop and wait to enter the car park. Meanwhile, vehicles at location A

should only be allowed to go straight to Tai Mei Tuk before turning back. These designs were safer

than the original ones.

107. Mr. Leo LAM said that regarding the views mentioned in paragraph 100 above, he believed

that the TD and HKPF would pay attention to the traffic conditions of the location concerned.

108. Mr. Matthew WONG said that the TD noted the views mentioned in paragraph 104 above, and

would study the matters carefully with the CEDD.

109. The Chairman asked the departments concerned to carry out the traffic survey as soon as

possible. If necessary, they could consult the District Council (“DC”) Member and villagers of the

constituency concerned. He indicated that the traffic flow of the road section concerned would

also increase during the Easter holiday. As such, he hoped that the departments concerned would

pay attention to the traffic conditions at that time.

110. Mr. SO Tat-leung found it necessary to continue to follow up on the captioned issue at the next

meeting. As such, the Chairman suggested continuing to discuss the captioned agenda item.

- 27 -

(5) Matters relating to the replacement of road lights in Tai Po District with LED road lights

111. The Chairman welcomed Mr. WOO Yan-ho, Engineer / 2-1 (Tai Po) of the HyD, to attend the

meeting for this agenda item, and asked him to respond to the views put forward by Members at the

previous meeting for this agenda item.

112. Mr. WOO Yan-ho responded as follows:

(i) Regarding the scope of the replacement of LED road lights along Lam Tsuen River,

there were pedestrian ways and cycle tracks on both sides of Lam Tsuen River (from

Yuen Shin Park to Tai Po Centre, Tai Wo Estate, Parc Versailles and the vicinity near

Hong Lok Yuen) at present, and the HyD would mainly replace the road lights on the

above pedestrian ways with LED lights in 2021.

(ii) Regarding the arrangements for the LED road lights replacement scheme: (1) the

HyD would replace the road lights on the pedestrian ways and cycle tracks along Lam

Tsuen River, as well as one of the trunk roads in Tai Po District, namely Tai Po Tai

Wo Road in 2021; (2) as the department found that the road lights on the cycle track

along Ting Kok Road from Tai Po Industrial Estate to Sam Mun Tsai were dilapidated

and damaged, it planned to implement improvement measures for old road lights in

2022; (3) as the department noticed that traffic accidents happened occasionally on

Bride’s Pool Road, it planned to replace the road lights along this road section in 2022

to improve the lighting system; (4) the department would carry out widening works

on Sai Sha Road in 2023, when the road light there would also be replaced; (5) the

department planned to implement the road lights replacement scheme near Tai Po

Market MTR Station (around Lam Tsuen River, Nam Wan Road and Hong Kong

Railway Museum) in 2023 after large-scale road improvement works were

completed; and (6) the department planned to replace the road lights at Kwong Fuk

Estate, Tai Po Centre, Sun Hing Garden and Yee Nga Court in 2024.

113. Mr. TAM Yi-pui said that he often contacted the HyD staff to inform them that the road lights

near Sai Sha Road broke down almost every month. In this connection, he asked about the details

of the road lights replacement scheme on Sai Sha Road.

114. The Chairman asked the HyD’s representatives to give the Secretariat a written report on the

above road lights replacement schemes for Members’ reference after the meeting. In addition, he

observed that the lamp posts at some road sections in Tai Po and Sha Tin did not only come with

road lights, but were also equipped with “double lights” below to illuminate the pedestrian ways.

He asked whether the department had any plans to install this kind of road lights in the future, and

asked the departmental representatives to specify in the written report the road sections where such

road lights would be installed.

- 28 -


(i) As there were large-scale road excavation works on Sai Sha Road, the operation of

the road lights there had been affected due to the damage to the underground facilities.

However, the HyD had replaced some underground cables according to the degree of

damage so as to maintain the operation of road lighting system. Meanwhile, the

HyD had removed the existing road lights on Sai Sha Road before the commencement

of the large-scale works there, and temporary road lights were being used at present.

As the department would also replace the cables and lighting systems along the road

later, the road lights on Sai Sha Road would operate more stably in the future.

(ii) He would provide a written report on the road lights replacement scheme after the

meeting.

(iii) Regarding the enquiries in paragraph 114 above, the designs of road lights varied

from road section to road section. The pedestrian ways at some road sections could

be illuminated by road lights alone, while some required the installation of “double

lights” for sufficient lighting. The HyD would improve road light designs according

to the situations of different road sections. The installation of “double lights” was

one of the road lighting improvement measures. However, these lights would not

be installed at every road section.

(Post-meeting note: The LED road lights replacement scheme mentioned in paragraph 115(ii) above

was set out in paragraph 112(ii) above. If there were any special updates in the future, the HyD’s

Lighting Division would inform the Secretariat again.)

116. Mr. AU Chun-wah said that to his observation, the overhanging wires between road lights

were often exposed, and he had asked the department why this happened. The department stated

that as underground cables could not be repaired, or road lighting systems had to be restarted as soon

as possible before excavation permits were obtained, wires had to be added externally between road

lights. He understood that the department had to take the above measure within a short period of

time. However, he pointed out that the overhanging wires of some of road lights had been exposed

for more than a year. At Bright Smart Securities opposite Hong Kong Jockey Club Off-course

Betting Centre on Kwong Fuk Road, the overhanging wires had even been exposed for more than

two years, but the department concerned had not taken any improvement measures. In this

connection, he asked whether the HyD could deal with the problem during the replacement of LED

road lights. If no, he asked whether the department had any plans to take action as soon as possible.


(i) The use of temporary overhanging wires was indeed one of the main temporary

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measures taken by the HyD to maintain the efficiency of road lights. Besides,

overhanging wires might also have to be added during temporary excavation works.

The department considered it more urgent to resume the operation of road lights as

soon as possible than to deal with the overhanging wires. Therefore, while road

lights had to be repaired within a day, there was no deadline to deal with overhanging

wires.

(ii) As the department would set up temporary overhanging wires according to the

relevant guidelines, Members did not have to worry too much about their impact.

However, the department did not turn a blind eye to the overhanging wires, and the

contractor would also check the conditions of road lights and temporary overhanging

wires after typhoons.

(iii) The replacement of LED road lights and the problem of overhanging wires could not

be dealt with in one fell swoop. The replacement of LED road lights aimed at saving

electricity and enhancing illumination, which were different from the objectives of

road excavation works. Nonetheless, the department would carry out more road

excavation works as soon as possible to deal with the temporary overhanging wires.

However, it was difficult to give a specific timeframe.

(iv) He would contact Mr. AU Chun-wah after the meeting as regards the problem of

temporary overhanging wires at the road lights on Kwong Fuk Road.

(Post-meeting note: Regarding the situation mentioned in paragraph 117(iv) above, the temporary

overhanging wires had been removed on 18 March, and Mr. WOO Yan-ho from the HyD had

reported on the progress to Mr. AU Chun-wah’s office.)

118. Mr. AU Chun-wah understood that it took time for the HyD to implement temporary measures.

However, he could not accept that there were more and more overhanging wires on road lights. As

it was also difficult for members of the public to understand what was going on, the department

should explore measures to deal with the problem as soon as possible.

119. The Chairman said that although he understood that it took time for the HyD to carry out repair

works, he hoped that the department would be aware of the potential safety problems arising from

setting up temporary overhanging wires. In addition, he suggested that it was not necessary to

continue to discuss the captioned issue at the next meeting.

120. The Chairman announced a recess.

121. The meeting resumed afterwards.

- 30 -

VII. Regular discussion items of the TTC

(TPDC Paper No. TT 8/2021 (revised))

(1) Request for more parking spaces in Tai Po


122. The Chairman welcomed Mr. CHOY Kin-lun, Administrative Assistant / Lands (Acting)

(District Lands Office, Tai Po) of the TPDLO, to attend the meeting for this agenda item, and asked

him to respond to the views put forward by Members at the previous meeting for this agenda item.

123. Ms. Summer LEE went through TPDC Paper No. TT 15/2021 regarding the request for

additional parking spaces in the district.

124. Regarding the views put forward by Members at the previous meeting for this agenda item,

Mr. CHOY Kin-lun responded as follows:

(i) The TPDLO was consulting the departments concerned about the change of use of

the site at Tat Wan Road (GLA-TTP770) for the construction of a short-term tenancy

car park.

(ii) The TPDLO would invite tender for the short-term tenancy car park on Ma Wo Road

tentatively in May 2021.

(iii) The TPDLO had earlier replied to Mr. YIU Kwan-ho by e-mail regarding the

government site (TGLA-TTP812) near the CLP substation in Pak Shek Kok. As the

WSD had not finished processing the complaints about the application for

replacement sites, the date of returning the above site could not be confirmed. The

department had begun drafting papers and working on other procedures so as to

shorten the processing time for site allocation application.

(iv) Regarding the proposal to use the vacant site next to Lam Kam Roundabout and the

vacant site at Shek Kwu Lung Car Park in Kam Shan Tsuen mentioned in the

captioned paper as public car parks, he added that the TPDLO was processing the

temporary site allocation application from the Drainage Services Department

(“DSD”) for using the vacant site next to Lam Kam Roundabout for storage purposes.

Therefore, it would not consider using the vacant site as a public car park for the time

being. In addition, the department had received the TD’s enquiry, and was currently

examining the feasibility of using the vacant site next to Shek Kwu Lung Car Park in

Kam Shan Tsuen as a short-term tenancy car park.

125. Mr. MAN Nim-chi, the Vice-chairman, said that according to the captioned paper, the TD had

stated that the local community was against the provision of on-street parking spaces at a section of

Ting Kok Road near Nga Kwan House. In this connection, he asked the department about the

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general procedures for dealing with objections from the local community.


(i) He had suggested the TPDLO use the site under the flyover at Fo Shing Road to

provide more parking spaces at the short-term tenancy car park on Fo Shing Road

(TP1766) so as to address the shortage of parking spaces in Pak Shek Kok. The

proposal had been accepted by the department, but would not be implemented until

the short-term tenancy car park was re-tendered. However, according to the latest

Budget, the Government would approve a discretionary arrangement whereby the

contract could be renewed directly with the operator of short-term tenancy car park

without having to re-tender the car park. In this connection, he asked whether direct

renewal meant that the location under the flyover at Fo Shing Road could not be used

to provide more parking spaces at the short-term tenancy car park on Fo Shing Road

(TP1766), and when the new contract would expire.

(ii) Regarding the government site near the CLP substation in Pak Shek Kok (TGLA-

TTP812), he was happy to see that the TPDLO had begun drafting papers and

working on other procedures before the WSD had returned the site. He hoped that

the department would deal with the objections as soon as possible, and that the

departments concerned such as the TPDO could co-ordinate with each other so that

the whole project could be completed as soon as possible.

127. Mr. Richard CHAN’s comments were as follows:

(i) He asked which car park on Shan Tong Road in which the TD would provide

additional motorcycle parking spaces.

(ii) The TPDLO was currently conducting a consultation on the government site next to

the car park under the flyover at Shan Tong Road – Tolo Highway. In this

connection, he asked whether it meant that the TPDLO was not against using the site

as a public car park, how much progress had been made, and what the timetable was.

(iii) Some members of the local community were against the HyD using the government

site under the flyover at Shan Tong Road – Tolo Highway. If the dissenting views

could be addressed, did it mean that the TPDLO would approve the HyD to continue

to use the site, instead of considering using it as a public car park?

(iv) Regarding the vacant site next to Lam Kam Roundabout, he asked: (1) whether the

deadline for the DSD to use the site had expired; (2) although the DSD had intended

to apply for lease renewal, if the lease was not renewed and the complaints were

properly dealt with, could the site be used as a public car park? (3) given that the site

was quite large, had it been used completely with no space available?

- 32 -

128. Mr. WU Yiu-cheong’s comments were as follows;

(i) The short-term tenancy car park at Ma Wo Road near the government site at Tat Wan

Road (GLA-TTP770) had been vacant for more than a year since its return to the

Government in February 2020, and it was not until now that the TPDLO had started

the tendering exercise. Therefore, it was expected that the car park would be vacant

for two years. Given the shortage of parking spaces in the vicinity, it would be

undesirable for the short-term tenancy car park to become an idle site. In addition,

regarding the feasibility study on using the government site at Tat Wan Road (GLA-

TTP770) as a public car park, the progress mentioned in the paper was the same as

that reported by the department at the TTC meeting in November 2020. As such,

he would like to know more about the details, such as when the consultation would

be completed and when the results of consultation would be available, so as to

ascertain the use of the site.

(ii) Regarding the vacant site next to Shek Kwu Lung Car Park in Kam Shan Tsuen, he

asked when the TPDLO would begin the feasibility study on converting the site to a

public car park. He also said that apart from using the site as a public car park, the

TD could also consider setting up parking meters there. He indicated that Shek Kwu

Lung Car Park in Kam Shan Tsuen was originally used for setting up parking meters

only. If the department only planned to use a small part of the vacant site next to

the parking meters as a short-tenancy car park, only a handful of parking spaces

would be provided, and the situation might not be desirable. Therefore, he asked

whether it was feasible to set up parking meters at the afore-mentioned vacant site.

129. Mr. LAU Yung-wai said the captioned paper mentioned that the TPDLO was processing an

application from a non-governmental organisation (“NGO”) for renting the government site of the

former Shung Tak School in Tai Po. In this connection, he asked whether the NGO planned to rent

the site to operate a car park. If yes, how would the department concerned arrange for vehicles to

be parked there?

130. Ms. Summer LEE responded as follows:

(i) Regarding the enquiry in paragraph 125 above, the TD would first examine the

objections and their justifications, and discuss with those with opposing views

through various channels, such as face-to-face or telephone conversations. In

general, the department would also provide written replies about their concerns in the

hope that they would be understanding and become less worried.

(ii) Regarding paragraph 127(i) above, Shan Tong Road Car Park was located under the

flyover of Tolo Highway.

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(iii) The TD would further examine the feasibility of using the vacant site next to Shek

Kwu Lung Car Park in Kam Shan Tsuen for setting up parking meters, before replying

to Mr. WU Yiu-cheong.

131. Mr. CHOY Kin-lun responded as follows:

(i) The Government would not consider re-tendering so as to support the operators

affected by the epidemic. The short-term tenancy car park on Ma Wo Road had

been closed down on its own, not because of the epidemic. The TPDLO was

drawing up tender documents, and expected that the car park would be re-tendered in

May 2021. As the tender date had not been confirmed, the TPDLO was drafting the

documents first.

(ii) As the TPDLO was conducting a district consultation on the government site next to

the car park under the flyover at Shan Tong Road – Tolo Highway, it would give a

reply on whether the site would be used as a public car park after consolidating the

results of consultation.

(iii) Although some DC Members had proposed using the government site of the former

Shung Tak School in Tai Po as a public car park, an NGO had applied for using the

site on a short-term tenancy basis. As the TPDLO was processing the application,

it would not consider the above proposal for the time being.

(iv) The HyD had returned the vacant site next to Lam Kam Roundabout. However, the

TPDLO was processing the DSD’s application for temporary site allocation for

storage purposes.

132. Mr LAU Yung-wai said that he had never heard any DC Members propose demolishing the

former Shung Tak School in Tai Po. As such, he would like to know where the news came from.

In addition, he indicated that the TPDC had passed a motion in 2019 requesting that the currently

vacant site of Shung Tak School in Tai Po should remain as a government, institution or community

facility site and provide social welfare, education or integrated social service facilities to meet the

needs of community as soon as possible. Government departments had to submit the applications

to the TPDC for discussion and agreement. Therefore, any changes of land use proposed by the

department concerned should be submitted to the TPDC for discussion. As such, he did not

understand why the TPDLO was processing an NGO’s application for using the government site of

the former Shung Tak School in Tai Po on a short-term tenancy basis, without informing the TPDC.

He suggested the TPDLO refer to the relevant papers for details.

133. Mr. WU Yiu-cheong once again asked the questions he had put forth in paragraph 128(i) above.


- 34 -

(i) He once again asked the questions he had put forth in paragraph 127(iii) above.

(ii) Regarding the vacant government site next to Lam Kam Roundabout, he asked: (1)

whether the TPDLO would re-consider using the site as a public car park if it

eventually rejected the DSD’s application for using the site; (2) whether the DSD

would need to use the entire site, or part of the site could be allocated to be used as a

public car park, given how big the site was; and (3) as some members of the

community were against the DSD using the site, he asked when the TPDLO would

decide whether to reject the department’s application.

135. Mr. YIU Kwan-ho said that regarding short-term tenancy TP1766, he opined that if the car

park was not expanded simply because the Budget indicated that the tender process for short-term

tenancies had to be suspended, the residents would not have enough parking spaces, and that would

be unfair to them. He believed that short-term tenancy car parks were always full even during the

epidemic, which meant that the operation was not affected by the epidemic. He would like the

TPDLO to ask the relevant policy bureaux whether the short-term tenancy of the car park concerned

could be treated individually. By doing so, the tender exercise for short-term tenancy car park

could go ahead as usual, so as to provide more parking spaces.

136. Mr. YAM Kai-bong said that the TD had issued a works permit to the HyD for providing

additional motorcycle parking spaces on On Po Lane near Tai Po Police Station. In this connection,

he asked the HyD when the works were expected to begin. In addition, he asked whether the

government site under the flyover at Shan Tong Road – Tolo Highway referred to the existing HyD’s

construction site and where it stored the materials. He indicated that the site had a large area and

a lot of headroom, and was far away from the bottom of the flyover. As such, he suggested the

department concerned not only consider using the site as a short-term tenancy car park, but also

carry out long-term planning by, for example, drawing on the experience in different places such as

Taiwan, the Mainland and Japan, where double-storey car parks were built under flyovers, so as to

optimise land use and alleviate the shortage of parking spaces in the district.

137. Mr. Richard CHAN said that parking meters were set up at the car park on Shan Tong Road,

where the ground was distant from the bottom of the flyover, which meant that it had a lot of

headroom. As regards the government site under Shan Tong Road – Tolo Highway and that on the

turfed area next to the car park under Shan Tong Road – Tolo Highway, which was close to Hong

Kong Teachers’ Association Lee Heng Kwei Secondary School, the ground was closer to the bottom

of the flyover. At present, there was a vacant site next to the existing metered car park, and it was

not covered by the flyover. In this connection, if the three sites could be used together by carrying

out works in phases, a large-scale multi-purpose car park could be built. He had initially proposed

the construction of a public car park at the junction of Shan Tong Road because The Regent, which

would be completed soon, had a serious shortage of parking spaces, and it was very convenient for

residents to walk from the junction of Shan Tong Road to Tai Po Market MTR station. He would

- 35 -

like to move a motion that the TPDC was against the HyD’s application for using the government

site under the flyover at Shan Tong Road – Tolo Highway.

138. The Chairman opined that while Members could put forward their views, they did not

necessarily do so by moving motions.

139. Mr. SIU Wai-kwan said that the TD had recently issued a number of works orders to the HyD

for the provision of parking spaces at car parks and motorcycle parking spaces. Meanwhile, the

HyD also planned to complete the works gradually starting from the second quarter of 2021.

140. Mr. CHOY Kin-lun responded as follows:

(i) Regarding the questions in paragraph 132 above, he would reply to Mr. LAU Yung-

wai in writing after the meeting.

(ii) Regarding the questions in paragraph 134(ii) above, he would consult the DSD and

examine the feasibility of designating part of the government site at the vacant site

next to Lam Kam Roundabout as a public car park, before replying to Mr. Richard

CHAN in writing.

(iii) After the expiry of the latest relief measures announced by the Financial Secretary in

support of the businesses affected by the epidemic, and after consulting the policy

bureaux concerned, the TPDLO would arrange for another tender exercise for the

short-term tenancy car park. However, the department would keep a record of the

proposals put forward by Mr. WU Yiu-cheong and Mr. YIU Kwan-ho.

(Post-meeting note: Regarding paragraph 140(i) above, the TPDLO had replied to Mr. LAU Yung-

wai by e-mail on 24 March.)

141. Ms. Summer LEE said that regarding the proposal to use the government site under the flyover

at Shan Tong Road – Tolo Highway for the construction of a double-storey car park, the relevant

section of the TD had earlier studied implementing a smart parking pilot scheme, which would be

carried out at a short-term tenancy car park in Tsuen Wan. The scheme would also be implemented

at the short-term tenancy car parks in other districts in the future, including short-term tenancy car

park TP1766. She would convey Mr. YAM Kai-bong’s views in paragraph 136 above to the

department concerned for consideration.

142. Mr. LAU Yung-wai hoped that the TPDLO would pay attention to the resolution carried by

the TPDC in 2019, and suggested handing over the issue relating to the land use of Shung Tak School

in Tai Po to the TPDC for discussion.

- 36 -

143. Mr. KWAN Wing-yip, the Chairman, said that to his understanding, the motion mentioned in

paragraph 132 above was carried at a Social Services Committee meeting in 2019. At present,

Members had to consider whether it was necessary to follow up on the land use of Shung Tak School

in Tai Po at the Healthcare, Education and Social Services Committee. He added that he had heard

of some NGOs applying for using the site. However, some Members had also proposed setting up

minibus stops or car parks at the site, but the department concerned did not consider their proposals.

144. Mr. SIU Wai-kwan said the HyD noted that some Members were against the department’s

application for using the government site under the flyover at Shan Tong Road – Tolo Highway.

While it was not easy for the department to identify locations for storage when works were

underway, he understood that there was also a demand in the district for using the site. Therefore,

he would convey the views to the relevant staff of the department for reference.

(2) Request for the addition of a covered taxi stand next to the petrol filling station on Kwong

Chun Street

145. Mr. SIU Wai-kwan reported that the captioned works had been completed in early December

2020.

146. The Chairman said that as the captioned works had been completed, he suggested that it was

not necessary to continue to discuss this agenda item.

(3) (1) Concerns over illegal parking in Tai Po District; (2) Request for the Hong Kong Police

Force to tow away the illegally parked vehicles which obstruct buses in Tai Po Market

(TPDC Papers No. TT 9/2021, TT 10/2021 and TT 15/2021)

147. Ms. Summer LEE went through TPDC Paper No. TT 15/2021 regarding the TD’s reply about

the illegal parking problem in Tai Po District.

148. Mr. TSUI Yik-fuk went through TPDC Paper No. TT 9/2021 and provided supplementary

information as follows:

(i) Tai Po Police District and Tai Po District had issued 18 940 and 8 817 fixed penalty

notices respectively in November 2020.

(ii) Tai Po Police District and Tai Po District had issued 18 430 and 9 496 fixed penalty

notices respectively in December 2020.

(iii) The HKPF had issued a total of 19 347 fixed penalty notices in Tai Po District in

December 2020 and January 2021, representing an increase of 16.6% compared with

- 37 -

the 16 597 issued in October and November 2020 in total.

149. The Chairman said that Mr. Nick LAM had submitted a paper regarding the request for the

HKPF to tow away the illegally parked vehicles which obstructed buses in Tai Po Market, and

suggested discussing it in this agenda item. He asked Mr. Nick LAM to go through the paper.

150. Mr. Nick LAM went through TPDC Paper No. TT 10/2021.

151. Mr. AU Chun-wah’s comments were as follows:

(i) He saw a vehicle parked on the pedestrian way opposite the Hongkong and Shanghai

Banking Corporation on Kwong Fuk Road the night before. Railings had been set

up there originally. However, as the HyD stated that there had been complaints

earlier about too many railings, some of the railings had been removed, which made

illegal parking easier.

(ii) He pointed out the locations of blackspots where illegally parked vehicles prevented

buses from turning, including the turning area on Plover Cove Road near the entrance

to Kwong Fuk Estate Car Park. Although the HKPF had been pressing charges

against the illegally parked vehicles there frequently, and the situation had improved

recently, some vehicles were still parked illegally at the turning area under the flyover.

As a result, buses on the adjacent carriageways were barely able to travel past them,

and the carriageways had even turned into a single-lane road for two-way traffic. As

a result, vehicle honking could be heard frequently.

(iii) He indicated that vehicles were often parked illegally on On Pong Road, On Tai Road,

On Chee Road and On Cheung Road. As such, he asked the HKPF to step up the

law enforcement efforts at these blackspots.

(iv) At the TPDC meeting on 2 March, the District Commander (Tai Po) said that the

HKPF’s establishment for patrolling had been back to normal. He also saw two

uniformed officers issuing fixed penalty notices to illegally parked vehicles on Wan

Tau Street today. However, he speculated that they were not the police officers

responsible for prosecuting illegally parked vehicles. As such, he hoped that the

HKPF would step up its road control efforts to ease the serious illegal parking

problems caused by insufficient deterrent effect at present. He said that, for

example, there had not been any illegally parked vehicles on the double-yellow lines

opposite Treasure Garden in the past. At present, however, vehicles were parked

illegally along the road and near the crossroad, and the opposite taxi stand was also

full of illegally parked vehicles, obstructing buses and other vehicles. Therefore, he

would like the HKPF to take follow-up actions.

- 38 -

152. Ms. CHAN Wai-ka, Olive, said that the illegal parking problem was so serious at present that

some illegally parked vehicles even occupied pedestrian ways. Many wheelchair users had told

her that they did not have enough space to enter or leave access roads due to the obstruction by

illegally parked vehicles. She also pointed out the locations where the above situation often took

place, including the vicinity of Wan Tau Street market, Tai Po Hui, On Fu Road, Po Heung Square,

Mei Sun Lane, Fuk Wo Road, Po Nga Road near Lam Tsuen Public Wong Fook Luen Memorial

School, and Cheung Kei Restaurant near Chui Lok Street. She also asked the HKPF to take follow-

up actions as soon as possible.

153. Mr. So Tat-leung pointed out the illegal parking blackspots in his constituency, including Lo

Fai Road near Tycoon Place. As the TD had started setting up bollards on the pedestrian way

opposite Tycoon Place two weeks ago, there were no illegally parked vehicles at present. However,

vehicles were parked on the ramp near Richwood Park instead, and he had also seen the ramp full

of illegally parked vehicles in the past two days. While he had seen the HKPF issue penalty tickets

to some of the illegally parked vehicles, as minor works were being carried out on a nearby road,

there was only one carriageway with temporary traffic lights. Meanwhile, the department

concerned had not replied on the commencement date of the above works and the date temporary

traffic lights were set up. In addition, he indicated that the carriageway outside the water-filled

barriers at the construction site at Lo Fai Road near Tycoon Place was full of parked vehicles, and

the person in charge of the works said that the carriageway was part of the works area. Therefore,

although the TPDLO had given him the map concerned, he could not determine whether it was

illegal for vehicles to be parked on that carriageway, and it was also difficult for the HKPF to take

law enforcement actions. Therefore, he hoped that the department concerned would help deal with

the problem.

154. Mr. YAM Kai-bong said that as there were double yellow lines on the left of the road section

from Po Heung Bridge to Tai Yuen Estate and Treasure Garden, no vehicles had been parked there

illegally in the past. At present, however, vehicles were parked illegally up to the traffic lights near

Li Fook Lam Indoor Sports Centre. As vehicles were parked on the left lane, he switched to the

right lane but almost had an accident. Therefore, he hoped that the HKPF would step up its law

enforcement efforts there.

155. Mr. MAN Nim-chi, the Vice-chairman’s comments were as follows:

(i) The illegal parking problem on On Man Square and On Ho Lane was serious. He

said that the plastic bollards on On Man Square were supposed to prevent vehicles

from obstructing the entrance to Li Fook Lam Indoor Sports Centre. However, they

were often knocked down by motorists due to improver driving behaviour.

Therefore, he hoped that the HyD could inspect and repair the plastic bollards more

frequently. As many private vehicles were parked on On Ho Lane near Eightland

Gardens during holidays as well as before and after school hours, he had suggested

- 39 -

the department consider setting up plastic bollards there. He also hoped that the

HKPF would step up the law enforcement efforts.

(ii) The illegal parking problem on Chung Nga Road (at the junction between Ting Lai

Road and Ting Kok Road) was more serious than it used to be. Some residents had

told him that more large vehicles were parked illegally there than before, thus

blocking road users’ vision. Therefore, he hoped that the HKPF and TD would

explore measures, such as stepping up the law enforcement efforts and providing

more parking spaces in the district.

156. Mr. LAU Yung-wai’s comments were as follows:

(i) The illegal parking problem at Old Market had improved slightly. He hoped that

the HKPF would continue to take law enforcement actions.

(ii) The illegally parked vehicles at the junction of Chui Lok Street (the entrance to

Cheung Kei Restaurant) and on the carriageway outside the kindergarten on Mei Sun

Lane also obstructed the pedestrian crossing and prevented the mobility-handicapped

from crossing the road.

(iii) Mong Kok Police District held its Traffic Day on 3 March 2021, when large-scale

law enforcement operations were conducted to tow away the illegally parked

vehicles. To his understanding, the most recent Traffic Day of Tai Po Police District

was held around 10 November 2020. In this connection, he asked the HKPF about

the timetable of Traffic Day, and whether Tai Po District was part of the law

enforcement area of the Traffic Day of New Territories North Regional Headquarters.

(iv) The illegal parking problem at the locations mentioned in TPDC Paper No.

TT 10/2021 was serious. During holidays, traffic congestion was so serious that

vehicles could not turn there. Therefore, he would like the HKPF to pay attention.

157. Mr. LIN Kok-cheung, Dalu, indicated that the obstruction caused by illegally parked vehicles

to buses was especially serious on the entire Plover Cover Road (from The Golden Gate to Kwong

Fuk Estate), including the location mentioned in paragraph 151(ii) above. Private vehicles were

often parked at the turn from The Golden Gate to Po Wu Lane, obstructing the access of other

vehicles. As such, he asked the HKPF to pay extra attention. Although the illegal parking

problem there had improved slightly, he could sometimes hear motorists honking their horns due to

traffic congestion. As such, the HKPF still had to step up the efforts to deal with the problem. In

addition, he indicated that large vehicles were often parked on the road section off Tai Po Old Market

Public School. To his understanding, school buses were currently allowed to be parked on that

road section in the evening. However, many private vehicles were also parked there before and

after school hours. In addition, after motorists had parked their vehicles and finished their meals,

they would discard meal boxes at the roadside. Therefore, he hoped that the HKPF would take law

- 40 -

enforcement actions more frequently to prevent other problems.

158. Mr. AU Chun-wah said that plastic bollards were originally set up near the traffic lights on On

Tai Road, but they had been damaged for a long time without being replaced. Although the TD

had stated that it would not set up new plastic bollards at present, he asked whether the old and

damaged ones could be replaced.

159. Mr. YIU Kwan-ho pointed out several illegal parking blackspots where he would like the

HKPF to step up the law enforcement efforts, including (1) Chong San Road: although the bus bays

opposite Solaria were currently used as temporary bus stops, vehicles were parked there from time

to time; (2) Fo Yin Road near Ontolo and the entrance to Mayfair By The Sea 8: although he was

not sure whether the area concerned was under the purview of Tai Po Police District, he would like

the departments concerned to take follow-up actions; (3) Island House Lane near the crossing at

Kwong Lai House: residents were used to crossing the road via the fire gate and nearby location.

If vehicles were parked there, it would prevent residents from crossing the road and block their

visions; (4) Tai Po Road – Tai Po Kau outside the gate to Redland Garden: illegally parked vehicles

would obstruct other vehicles from going through the gate; and (5) Plover Cove Road near the zebra

crossing off Kwong Yan House on Kwong Yan Street: illegally parked vehicles would block

pedestrians’ vision.

160. Mr. AU Chun-ho said that the illegal parking problem at Treasure Garden was somewhat

attributable to the illegal parking problem at Tai Yuen Estate. As the management office had

enclosed the area with serious illegal parking problem at Tai Yuen Estate, vehicles were usually

parked outside Li Fook Lam Indoor Sports Centre at present. Given the busy traffic there, he hoped

that the HKPF would step up the law enforcement efforts. In addition, when he was driving on

Chung Nga Road and Ting Lai Road in the morning two days ago, he saw police officers issuing

penalty tickets to the illegally parked vehicles on Chung Nga Road only, without taking any actions

against those on Ting Lai Road.

161. Mr. TAM Yi-pui pointed out several illegal parking blackspots, including Nin Fung Road, the

passing bay near the footbridge at Villa Rhapsody, the passing bay near the village road (single-way)

to Yung Shue O, and the vicinity of the new car park in Nai Chung. He hoped that the HKPF would

take follow-up actions.

162. The Chairman asked the HKPF which was more effective: sending officers to tow away the

illegally parked vehicles, or sending officers to order the illegally parked vehicles to leave.


(i) He had noted the illegal parking blackspots above, including the locations mentioned

in TPDC Paper No. TT 10/2021.

- 41 -

(ii) In addition to the illegally parked vehicles, the HKPF also pressed charges against

motorists who had committed driving offenses.

(iii) If vehicles had caused serious obstruction to traffic or affected traffic flow, the HKPF

would tow them away without giving warnings in advance, but the vehicle owners

had to be notified first. Therefore, the HKPF towed away vehicles not only when

traffic was paralysed by the illegally parked vehicles. Nonetheless, before the

officers responsible for towing vehicles arrived at the scene, the vehicle owners

concerned usually had driven their vehicles away. Based on the situation at the

scene, such as whether the illegally parked vehicles were affecting traffic flow or

preventing buses from turning, the HKPF would ask the regional command and

control centre to send officers to tow the vehicles away.

(iv) In January and February 2021, the HKPF had towed away eight vehicles and

delivered them to Siu Ho Wan Police Vehicle Pound. Three of the eight vehicles

were parked illegally on Plover Cove Road. The others were parked illegally at the

bus stop on Kwong Fuk Road, zebra crossings, Chong San Road, Po Nga Road and

Wan Tau Kok Lane. The HKPF would continue to carry out law enforcement

operations in this regard.

(v) Regarding the enquiry in paragraph 156(iii), the HKPF issued penalty tickets to the

illegally parked vehicles every day on an ongoing basis. New Territories North

Regional Headquarters and Tai Po Police District spent a dozen days every month

conducting law enforcement operations against various targets, such as the illegally

parked vehicles, pedestrians, bicycles, mobile devices, vehicle structures, etc. In

addition, Tai Po Police District spent at least one day every week conducting large-

scale prosecution operations against the illegally parked vehicles.

(vi) The HKPF would step up the law enforcement operations on On Cheung Road and

work with the departments concerned to explore ways to deal with illegal parking by,

for example, improving the traffic signs there.

(vii) As the location mentioned in paragraph 161 above was under the purview of Sha Tin

Police District, he would them tell about it.

(viii) Regarding paragraph 159 above, the HKPF had carried out towing operations on

Chong San Road and Fo Yin Road. As the afore-mentioned Fo Yin Road was under

the purview of Tai Po Police District, he had noted the problems already.

(ix) Tai Po Police District had resumed the law enforcement team in October 2020, and

would work with the Traffic Wing of Tai Po Police District and Tai Po District to deal

with the illegal parking problem together. They would take law enforcement actions

under the latest e-Ticketing Pilot Scheme so as to enhance the efficiency of law

enforcement.

- 42 -


(i) Regarding the locations mentioned in TPDC Paper No. TT 10/2021, including the

pedestrian crossings at 32 On Fu Road and Nam Shing Street, the TD had also

received views from members of the public, DC Members and members of the Rural

Committee about the situation concerned. Therefore, the department had drawn up

measures in August 2020, including drawing double yellow lines and implementing

improvement measures at the pedestrian crossings, so as to prevent motorists from

parking their vehicles on carriageways where buses would be obstructed, or loading

and unloading goods there. The HyD had launched the works concerned, which

were expected to be completed in April 2021. It was hoped that the illegal parking

problem at the above locations would be alleviated by then. In addition, although

vehicles were not allowed to be parked next to the zebra crossing on Plover Cove

Road or to carry out loading and unloading activities there, the TD would also explore

the feasibility of other improvement measures.

(ii) She had told the HKPF’s representatives that no-parking signs had been put up on the

railings on Canton Road in Tsim Sha Tsui. The TD would later ask which

department had put up these signs and how effective they were, so as to study whether

the same measure could be adopted at specific locations in Tai Po District.

165. Mr. Nick LAM’s comments were as follows:

(i) He was not happy that the HKPF’s reply was wishy-washy. He indicated that when

the HKPF notified the vehicle owner before towing the vehicle away, it was giving

the vehicle owner the opportunity to drive away the vehicle, without creating any

deterrent effect. Therefore, he opined that if an illegally parked vehicle was

obstructing buses, the HKPF should tow the vehicle away even if the vehicle owner

wanted to drive it away. The reason was that these vehicles would completely

paralyse the nearby traffic (for at least 10 minutes), affecting not only bus passengers

but other road users as well, and that was a very serious problem.

(ii) If vehicle owners did not drive their vehicles away after being notified by the HKPF,

the HKPF would tow the vehicles away. He asked whether this practice was a legal

requirement. If yes, the HKPF had to explore ways to amend the law. Otherwise,

it would be a waste of time to continue the discussion.

(iii) He asked whether the HKPF did not tow away the illegally parked vehicles at the

pedestrian crossings at 32 On Fu Road and Nam Shing Street, although it had towed

away three illegally parked vehicles on Plover Cove Road in January and February

2020. Although the illegal parking problem had indeed been alleviated after the

department concerned had put up traffic signs on Nam Shing Street, he could not rule

out the possibility that motorists would ignore these traffic signs and continue to park

- 43 -

their vehicles illegally there. As there were no traffic signs on On Fu Road, it was

still necessary for the HKPF to take law enforcement actions. It often took a few

minutes for the HKPF to ask vehicle owners to drive their vehicles away, and the

actions against traffic congestion were thus delayed.

(iv) He asked the TD about the progress of drawing double yellow lines on Heung Sze

Wui Street.

(v) He had photographed the situation at Kwong Fuk Road bus stop two days ago (see

Annex 5), indicating that some taxis were waiting for passengers there. It was so

outrageous that some taxi drivers were even cleaning their taxis with the boot opened.

In this connection, he asked whether the HKPF would again just go to the scene to

ask the taxi drivers to leave, while the taxi drivers had no price to pay. This

approach would not help resolve the problem. As the HKPF did not have sufficient

manpower to stay at the illegal parking blackspots all day, drivers involved in illegal

parking had to be punished severely. For example, drivers who parked their vehicles

illegally at bus stops could be issued with penalty tickets directly without prior

warning, so as to increase the deterrent effect and prevent the traffic from being

seriously affected. He also asked about the number of penalty tickets issued by the

HKPF at the location shown in Annex 5.

(vi) To the left of the CLP Customer Service Centre on Kwong Fuk Road was Po Heung

Bridge. Although there was a no left-turn sign on the pedestrian way, if a large

vehicle was parked on the left, it would block the sign, and motorists might turn left

illegally and created danger. He had written to the HKPF for stepping up the law

enforcement actions there.

(vii) The HKPF also had to step up the law enforcement efforts near Standard Chartered

Bank on Kwong Fuk Road. Otherwise, there would also be traffic congestion on

Yan Hing Street.

(viii) While there were only two lanes on Tung Cheong Street, vehicles were often parked

there illegally. As a result, vehicles often travelled against the traffic, which was

very dangerous. Therefore, he would like the HKPF to step up the law enforcement

efforts.

(ix) He asked the HKPF to follow up on the illegal parking problem at the illegal parking

blackspots in Tai Po Hui he had talked about in the past.

166. Mr. YAM Kai-bong said that even if the HKPF sent officers to take law enforcement actions,

such as towing away the illegally parked vehicles, it would take one to two hours to do so, which

could not ease traffic congestion in a short amount of time. As such, he asked whether the TD

could build safety islands or widen the pedestrian ways at the parking spaces of private vehicles and

goods vehicles shown in the pictures in TPDC Paper No. TT 10/2021 (pictures at the top left and

right corners on page 2) so that vehicles could not be parked there, while longer vehicles and buses

- 44 -

would have sufficient room to turn.

167. Mr. YIU Yeuk-sang pointed out a number of illegal parking blackspots that he would like the

HKPF to pay attention to, including (1) Fung Yuen: the illegal parking problem was still serious,

making it difficult for buses to make a U-turn in the morning. As such, he would like the HKPF to

take law enforcement actions there at about 7 p.m. so as not to affect the access of buses; and (2) the

area from Ting Lai Road (near Cameo Court and Nam Hang) to San Wai Tsai (behind the swimming

pool).

168. Mr. MAN Nim-chi, the Vice-chairman, opined that in addition to the police officers of the

Traffic Wing, uniformed officers and beat officers could also take law enforcement actions. He

opined that the illegal parking problem had the greatest impact on traffic during peak hours. As

such, he would like the HKPF to step up its law enforcement efforts. His office was located at Jade

Plaza (opposite the bus stop at Tai Po Centre). He could hear vehicles (especially buses) honk their

horns at about 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. every day. The reason was that some vehicles were parked illegally

outside Hang Seng Bank at Fortune Plaza (or even on double yellow lines), leaving insufficient room

for buses to turn. He had put paper notes on the illegally parked vehicles and asked drivers

involved in illegal parking to leave. However, they said that they did not have to pay any price as

long as they drove away before the HKPF took law enforcement actions. Therefore, he opined that

if the HKPF took law enforcement actions there randomly at the busiest hours (3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.)

every day, drivers involved in illegal parking could not anticipate the time the HKPF took law

enforcement actions. This would help alleviate the illegal parking problem.


(i) The illegal parking problem at the minibus stop off Wah Lap Restaurant was so

serious that the minibus stop could not operate normally. Someone had put two

traffic cones at the minibus stops earlier. On each traffic cone, there was a placard

indicating that “this area is a minibus stop”. As such, the minibus stop had

maintained normal operation for some time.

(ii) Someone had put a foldable signboard indicating “no parking” at the pedestrian

crossing on Nam Shing Street as mentioned in TPDC Paper No. TT 10/2021.

Subsequently, no vehicles had been parked there indeed.

(iii) He opined that the two measures above were very straightforward and somewhat

effective. In this connection, he said that vehicles were often parked at the passing

bay (managed by the TPDO) in Ng Tung Chai during holidays. As such, he asked

whether the HKPF could put traffic cones or foldable signboards at the passing bay

in Ng Tung Chai or On Fu Road mentioned in TPDC Paper No. TT 10/2021 for a

short period of time on an irregular basis, so as to remind the public not to park their

vehicles at the passing bay. As regards how to deal with the illegal parking problem

- 45 -

at the passing bay in Ng Tung Chai in the long run, further studies had to be carried

out. In addition, he would work with the Assistant District Officer (Tai Po) after the

meeting to follow up on ways to repair the road section at the passing bay in Ng Tung

Chai.

(iv) As the wishing festival scheduled to be held at Lam Tsuen Wishing Square had been

cancelled, and the HKPF had sent officers to take law enforcement action there on

the 16th and 17th days of Lunar New Year, the traffic conditions there in the first 17

days of Lunar New Year were satisfactory. However, after the reopening of Lam

Tsuen Wishing Square, villagers would come back for worship ceremonies, but the

HKPF could not deploy officers to stay there again. Therefore, he was worried

about the traffic conditions the coming Saturday and Sunday, and hoped that the

HKPF would pay extra attention.

(v) Some private vehicles were often parked on the hatched markings at Tai Wo bus stop

until the next day. As such, large vehicles and minibuses could not be parked on the

hatched markings during the morning peak hours. They could only stop on the

middle lane and led to a queue of vehicles. If the HKPF could step up its law

enforcement efforts at the above location during peak hours, the illegal parking

problem could be alleviated.

(vi) A recycling vehicle used to be parked on Ting Lai Road in the past. He asked

whether the HKPF could take follow-up actions.

170. Mr. MAN Nim-chi, the Vice-chairman, said that the recycling vehicle mentioned in paragraph

169(vi) above was parked at the passing bay off Chung May House on Chung Nga Road.

Recycling affected the environmental hygiene in the vicinity, and he had tried to deal with the

problem on several occasions but to no avail. As the area was not a formal passing bay, he asked

whether the TD could draw hatched markings there and put up a sign that read “Vehicle waiting will

be prosecuted without warning”. In addition, he asked whether the HKPF could issue reminders

when beat officers saw recycling vehicles idling without switching off the engines.

171. Mr. HO Wai-lam asked whether the HKPF had followed up on the recruitment of additional

traffic wardens as suggested by Members in the past.


(i) She would ask the HyD about the latest progress of drawing double yellow lines on

Heung Sze Wui Street after the meeting and collect information on drawing double

yellow lines in other parts of Tai Po Hui before replying to Mr. Nick LAM in one go.

(ii) Regarding Mr. YAM Kai-bong’s suggestions to draw hatched markings and build

safety islands at the above location to remind the public not to park their vehicles

- 46 -

there, the TD would study whether they were feasible at certain locations, including

32 On Fu Road and Kwong Fuk Estate.

(iii) Regarding the pedestrian crossing on Nam Shing Street, the HyD was examining the

feasibility of widening it to the turn where buses were currently affected by the

illegally parked vehicles. As the crossing was used by many pedestrians at present,

the measure above could not only widen the crossing, but also let motorists know that

the area concerned was a pedestrian crossing where parking was not allowed. The

TD would closely monitor the effectiveness of the measure. If there was no

improvement in the illegal parking problem, the department would study the proposal

to draw hatched markings and build safety islands at the above location.

(iv) Regarding the views in paragraph 170 above, according to the road design standards

of the TD, if a vehicle was parked at a passing bay, prevented other vehicles from

using it and had led to traffic congestion, the department would consider drawing

hatched markings and put up warning signs. However, before implementing this

suggestion, the department had to consult the HKPF as the warning signs required

the corresponding law enforcement actions by the HKPF.


(i) He had noted the illegal parking blackspots mentioned by Members above.

(ii) According to the established procedures, the HKPF had to notify the vehicle owners

before towing away the illegally parked vehicles, because criminal elements might

be involved. If the HKPF and the personnel responsible for towing had arrived at

the scene, but the vehicle owner could not arrive in a short period of time, they would

tow the vehicle away. However, he added that the HKPF did not have to deal with

illegal parking by towing alone. The HKPF’s primary objectives were to keep the

road clear and reduce traffic accidents, rather than punishing motorists involved in

illegal parking.

(iii) Most taxi drivers involved in illegal parking on Kwong Fuk Road had been

prosecuted by the HKPF before. However, after receiving penalty tickets, some

would park their vehicles there again. In this connection, the HKPF might work

with the TD to examine the possibility of designating a restricted area there. If the

measure was feasible and resources were sufficient, they might consider designating

the area as a taxi stand.

(iv) Shortage of parking spaces in Tai Po District was one of the reasons for illegal

parking. Therefore, illegal parking could not be dealt with by the law enforcement

department alone. Although some motorists who had received the HKPF’s penalty

tickets would change their improper driving behaviour gradually, the penalty tickets

did not have much deterrent effect as the fine was insignificant.

- 47 -

(v) He thanked Members for their suggestions. However, he said that motorists would

change the locations of illegal parking according to the HKPF’s law enforcement

locations. Nonetheless, the HKPF would continue to take law enforcement actions.

(vi) Regarding paragraph 169(i) above, the original minibus stop on Po Heung Street used

to be opposite Po Heung Estate. However, as the area outside Tai Po Community

Centre had to be used to set up mobile specimen collection stations, the minibus stop

was temporarily relocated to the area outside Wah Lap Restaurant on Po Heung

Street. However, the illegal parking problem there was serious, with frequent

loading and unloading activities. Therefore, traffic cones had been set up there as a

temporary traffic improvement measure to ensure normal operation of the minibus

stop.

(vii) Regarding paragraph 169(ii) above, setting up a foldable signboard at the pedestrian

crossing on Nam Shing Street was a temporary traffic improvement measure

implemented during the Lunar New Year to prevent parking.

(viii) Regarding paragraph 169(iv) above, Tai Po District had deployed manpower to

conduct patrols more frequently on Lam Kam Road the coming Saturday and Sunday

and step up the law enforcement efforts.

(ix) Regarding paragraph 169(iii) above, the HKPF would study the feasibility of

providing the facility concerned at the passing bay in Ng Tung Chai.

(x) Regarding paragraph 170 above, any motorists had the right to load and unload goods

at non-restricted areas. Therefore, if police officers who arrived at the scene found

that only recycling vehicles were parked there, they would initiate prosecution on a

case-by-case basis. If the recycling vehicles were loading and unloading goods, the

HKPF could not press charges. He had noted the situation, and would inform the

police officers in Tai Po District.


(i) As it was difficult to implement permanent measures at the passing bay in Ng Tung

Chai, if temporary measures (such as setting up traffic cones) were taken flexibly, the

illegal parking problem could be alleviated immediately. However, he opined that

the same temporary measure should not be taken for a long time. Changes should

be made regularly to show road users that the HKPF had been monitoring the traffic

conditions.

(ii) To his understanding, the HKPF towed away the illegally parked vehicles at bus stops

in other districts as well, and he had witnesses it near Hong Kong Industrial Centre

in Lai Chi Kok. However, whether this approach should be taken in Tai Po District

was up to the HKPF’s decision based on actual needs.

- 48 -

(iii) He agreed with what the HKPF’s representative had said in paragraph 173(x) above.

However, he indicated that as the recycling vehicle occupied the area for an entire

day (eight to 10 hours) for loading and unloading, the situation was not the same and

it had caused nuisance to the residents. As it was not the first time Members talked

about this problem at the meeting, he would like the HKPF to take it seriously.

175. Mr. Nick LAM’s comments were as follows:

(i) He strongly disagreed with the proposal to turn the unloading area on Kwong Fuk

Road into a taxi stand, not only because of the severe shortage of unloading areas in

Tai Po District, but also because of the large number of shops near the bus stop on

Kwong Fuk Road. It would be more convenient for the shops to use the afore-

mentioned unloading area so that the traffic would be affected for a shorter amount

of time. Therefore, if the HKPF or TD decided to implement the proposal, he would

raise objection.

(ii) He opined that the HKPF had the responsibility to provide the number of

prosecutions. He asked the HKPF to reply to him after the meeting if the figures

could not be provided at the moment.

(iii) Motorists might change the locations of illegal parking according to the HKPF’s law

enforcement locations. However, if motorists had been prosecuted by the HKPF

multiple times, they might park their vehicles at a car park some distance away where

parking spaces were still available, such as Tai Wo Car Park, or use public transport

instead so as to avoid the HKPF’s prosecution. Therefore, he hoped that the HKPF

would deal with the illegal parking problem in a more proactive manner.

176. Mr. MAN Nim-chi, the Vice-chairman, said that the recycling vehicle parked at the passing

bay on Chung Nga Road did not only pick up / drop off passengers and load / unload goods there.

The driver set up several cones to occupy the area every morning for others to do their recycling

business from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day. As such, he asked the HKPF to visit the area during that

period to remind the people concerned and take law enforcement actions. In addition, he had

reservations about the TD’s response in paragraph 172(iv) above. As the area behind the passing

bay had been reserved for motorcycle parking spaces, the department only had to draw hatched

markings and put up suitable warning signs, and then the HKPF could take law enforcement actions.

This approach was much better.


(i) Regarding paragraph 176 above, if the recycling vehicle was not parked at a lawful

parking space, the HKPF would issue penalty tickets on a case-by-case basis and

inform the colleagues concerned for investigation.

- 49 -

(ii) The HKPF would take temporary traffic improvement measures according to the road

conditions at different locations. It would also consider any measures that could

help improve traffic conditions.

(iii) To his understanding, the HKPF had towed away at least eight to 10 illegally parked

vehicles at bus stops. In addition to bus stops, the HKPF would also tow away the

illegally parked vehicles elsewhere. He believed that the HKPF had towed away at

least eight and 10 vehicles in the past two months and in November and December

2020 respectively.

(iv) He clarified that he did not suggest turning the unloading area on Kwong Fuk Road

into a taxi stand. However, as taxis had to be parked there, he suggested the HKPF

and TD study the feasibility of doing so. The ultimate goal of the department

concerned was to improve road traffic conditions.

(v) In December 2020, the HKPF had prosecuted a total of 263 illegally parked vehicles

on Kwong Fuk Road. At present, he did not have the number of vehicles prosecuted

by the HKPF on Kwong Fuk Road for driving offenses. He would find out whether

Traffic New Territories North Headquarters could provide the number of prosecutions

at specific locations in the district.

(vi) He had just mentioned that motorists would change the locations of illegal parking

according to the HKPF’s law enforcement locations. He clarified that the HKPF did

not use it as an excuse for not dealing with illegal parking. He was trying to explain

why the improvement in illegal parking at a certain location would make the problem

elsewhere more serious. As mentioned by Members earlier, motorists’ attitude was

also a reason for the illegal parking problem. However, the HKPF would continue

to take law enforcement actions and step up its law enforcement efforts as required.

It would also inform Tai Po Police District of the illegal parking blackspots mentioned

by Members.

178. Ms. Summer LEE said that the TD would inspect the passing bay on Chung Nga Road, and

work with the HKPF to study whether it was suitable to draw hatched markings and put up warning

signs there.

(4) Setting up an interchange at Lam Kam Road Roundabout


179. Mr. Peter AU went through TPDC Paper No. TT 16/2021.


- 50 -

(i) According to the table in the captioned paper, the occupancy rates of bus services on

Tai Wo Service Road West were the data for January and December 2020

respectively, namely those recorded during the epidemic. Therefore, they might be

different from the actual situation. For example, according to the data, passengers

from Wai Tau Tsuen should be able to get on the bus easily, but that was not the case

in reality. Some bus routes, such as 74C and 273C, departed according to the

timetable only, and the time period concerned might not be the actual morning peak

hours. Therefore, he asked whether the TD could provide data for March and April

2021 so that he could find out the occupancy rates when the epidemic had eased.

(ii) Citing paragraphs 259 and 265 of the minutes of the 6th TTC meeting in 2020, he

pointed out that the road section of Lam Kam Road behind Kadoorie Farm

(commonly known as Ling Wan Monastery section) was the bottleneck of the entire

Lam Kam Road. Although this road section was not under the TPDC’s purview,

Members had mentioned at the previous TTC meeting that they would like the TD to

report on the progress of the widening works there, as the widening of the road section

concerned would have a huge effect on the use of the entire Lam Kam Road. In this

connection, he asked the Chairman whether this issue should be followed up in the

captioned agenda item or a separate agenda item.

(iii) Citing paragraph 247 of the minutes of the 6th TTC meeting in 2020, he indicated that

as the passing bay at Ng Tung Chai Roundabout was under the TPDO’s purview, he

asked whether the TPDO could deploy staff responsible for rural works to inspect the

traffic condition at the passing bay with him on Saturday or Sunday.

181. The Chairman agreed with Mr. Richard CHAN’s views. The issue would continue to be

followed up at the next meeting. After the TD had provided supplementary information on the

occupancy rates of bus services on Tai Wo Service Road West, they would decide at the next meeting

whether it was necessary to continue the discussion. In addition, the TTC would also follow up on

the progress of the widening works at Ling Wan Monastery section in the captioned agenda item at

the next meeting. If the latest works progress was available before the next meeting, the TD’s

representative was advised to provide it for Members’ reference.

182. Mr. MAN Nim-chi, the Vice-chairman, said that according to paragraphs 132 to 156 of the

minutes of the 6th TTC meeting in 2020, Members had asked the TD to set up bus lanes on Tolo

Highway. In this connection, he asked what follow-up actions the department had taken in the past

four months in light of the suggestion.

183. Mr. YAM Kai-bong said that as Ling Wan Monastery section was located in Yuen Long

District, he reminded that the TD’s representative might have to seek information from the staff

responsible for that district. Given the restriction of Ling Wan Monastery section, there was not

enough room for longer buses to travel there. Upon completion of the widening works at that road

- 51 -

section, bus services could be improved substantially, and bus routes departing from Tai Po District

also travelled there. Therefore, he hoped that the department could report on the progress as soon

as possible.

184. Mr. YIU Kwan-ho said that the TD and HyD used to report on the works schedules at TTC

meetings in the past. He asked whether this agenda item was not included at present. He would

also like to find out the latest progress of setting up traffic lights on Chong San Road and Fo Yin

Road.

185. The Chairman said that as TTC meetings used to be very long in the past, the issue above had

not been included in the agenda since September 2020. Instead, it was provided for Members’

reference by circulation of papers and uploaded onto the TPDC website to shorten meeting time.

However, if Members would like to follow up on certain works, they could contact the staff

concerned at the HyD or TD, or bring them up during the discussion of any other business at the

meeting. He suggested adopting the current practice to follow up on the issue for the time being.

186. Mr. Peter AU said that the TD would provide the occupancy rates of bus services on Tai Wo

Service Road West in March and April 2021 at the next TTC meeting.

187. The Chairman asked Ms. Summer LEE and the Secretariat to contact Mr. PANG Hiu-fung to

follow up on the widening works at Ling Wan Monastery section after the meeting. In addition, he

asked the TD about the progress of setting up bus lanes on Tolo Highway.

188. Ms. Summer LEE said that the TD would once again review the feasibility of setting up bus

lanes on Tolo Highway in the upcoming Tai Po District Traffic and Transport Study.

VIII. Report of working group

Working Group on Provision of Public Bus and Minibus Services

189. Mr. YAM Kai-bong reported as follows:

(i) The WGBM held its first meeting in 2021 on 10 February 2021 to discuss issues

relating to the public bus and minibus services in Tai Po District.

(ii) The WGBM had advised on the regular discussion items about bus services in Tai Po

District, including transport services in Pak Shek Kok, airbus services in Tai Po

District, and bus routes W3 and 307/907B/C.

(iii) The WGBM, along with the TD and bus company, had commented on other bus

services in Tai Po District, including bus routes 74X series, 71A, 73X, X89D, etc.

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(iv) The WGBM had suggested the bus company inform WGBM Members earlier about

bus deployment and bus service adjustments during the epidemic.

(v) The WGBM had commented on the services provided by the minibus operator, AMS

Public Transport Holdings Limited, including minibus routes 21K, 20S, 20P, etc.

(vi) In light of Members’ views, the WGBM would invite other minibus operators to

attend its meetings in the future.

(vii) The WGBM had discussed the public transport services at Fu Heng Estate and Fu Tip

Estate. At the meeting, it had carried an impromptu motion, namely “The WGBM

moves a motion to request the TD, KMB and the Mass Transit Rail Corporation

Limited (“MTRCL”) to provide free feeder bus services at Fu Heng Estate and the

future Fu Tip Estate in Tai Po to connect to MTR stations, and take forward the

outbound transport planning for Area 9 in Tai Po as soon as possible”. The WGBM

also suggested writing to the Transport and Housing Bureau (“THB”), TD and

MTRCL in the name of the WGBM regarding the transport planning for Area 9 in Tai

Po.

190. The Chairman asked whether Members agreed to write to the THB, TD and MTRCL in the

name of the WGBM regarding the transport planning for Area 9 in Tai Po.

191. Members at the meeting did not have any objection. The Chairman said that he would follow

up on the issue with Mr. YAM Kai-bong and the Secretariat.

IX. Any other business

(1) Discussion on the TD’s Bus Route Planning Programme 2021-2022 of Tai Po District

192. The Chairman said that the WGBM meeting would be held at 10:00 a.m. on 30 March

(Tuesday), when the discussion would focus on the TD’s Bus Route Planning Programme 2021-

2022 of Tai Po District. Members were advised to bear it in mind.

(2) Matters relating to setting up bus lanes on Tolo Highway

193. Mr. Richard CHAN cited paragraph 144 of the minutes of the 6th TTC meeting in 2020, and

indicated that the TD’s representative had responded at that time that he had to ask his superior

whether the study report in 2017 could be provided for Members. He asked what the decision was.

194. Ms. Summer LEE said that she would follow up on this issue after the meeting.

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195. The Chairman asked the TD to send the report to Members for reference if the issue could be

dealt with before the next meeting.

(3) Other issues


(i) The road section at the intersection between Chong San Road and Science Park Road

was not located in but related to Tai Po District. The Science Park Expansion

Programme included widening the turn-right junction at the intersection between

Chong San Road and Science Park Road. In this connection, he asked the TD’s

representative to enquire the staff in the district concerned when the works would be

completed, so as to improve the saturated traffic at the road section concerned.

(ii) After the department concerned had drawn double white lines at the above road

section near the sewage pumping station, namely the area after the roundabout on

Chak Cheung Street and near Tate’s Cairn Highway, traffic congestion began to

emerge. In this connection, he asked how the department concerned planned to deal

with the problem.

(iii) Services of bus route 82D would be adjusted by providing additional departures from

8 a.m. to 9 a.m., at 5 p.m. or so and at 7 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays to benefit

more residents. He asked why the bus route above did not provide additional

services at noon on Saturdays and Sundays. He also asked whether the service

adjustments above aimed at making it easier for the public to visit Wu Kai Sha, rather

than meeting the transport demand of Pak Shek Kok residents who had to go to Tai

Wai.

(iv) Regarding the discussion paper he had submitted to the TPDC meeting (see Annex 6),

although he had mentioned that the department concerned could reply in May so as

to have sufficient preparation time, it could reply earlier if possible.

197. Ms. Summer LEE said that regarding the enquiries in paragraphs 196(i) and 196(ii) above, the

works concerned were carried out by her colleagues in Sha Tin District. Therefore, she would reply

to the Chairman and Mr. YIU Kwan-ho as soon as possible after asking her colleagues.

198. Mr. Peter AU noted the views in paragraph 196(iii) above, and would take follow-up actions

with KMB.

199. The Chairman suggested discussing the services of bus route 82D in detail at the WGBM

meeting in late March. In addition, regarding the views in paragraph 196(iv) above, he suggested

taking follow-up actions at the next TPDC meeting and trying their best to invite the departments

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and organisations concerned to attend the meeting. Follow-up actions would be taken at the TTC

meeting where necessary.

X. Date of next meeting

200. The Chairman announced that the next meeting would be held at 9:30 a.m. on 7 May 2021

(Friday).

201. There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:09 p.m.

Tai Po District Council Secretariat

April 2021

Documents

Minutes of the 1st Meeting in 2021