Approved Fanling/Sheung Shui Outline Zoning Plan amended

     The Town Planning Board today (March 29) announced amendments to the approved Fanling/Sheung Shui Outline Zoning Plan (OZP).

     The amendments mainly involve the rezoning of a site at Sheung Shui Area 30 from "Industrial" ("I") to "Residential (Group A)4" ("R(A)4") for public housing development; a site at Sheung Shui Area 4 from "I" and "Other Specified Uses" annotated "Bus Depot" to "R(A)4" for public housing development; a site to the east of Po Shek Wu Road, Sheung Shui Area 4 from "Open Space" to "Residential (Group A)5" for public housing development; a site at Jockey Club Road, Fanling Area 11 from "Government, Institution or Community" ("G/IC") to "R(A)4" for subsidised housing development; a site at Wu Tip Shan, Fanling Area 40 from "G/IC" to "Residential (Group A)6" to reflect an approved rezoning proposal; and other amendments to reflect the as-built alignments of Choi Yuen Road and San Wan Road. Opportunity is also taken to amend the Notes and Explanatory Statement of the OZP to reflect the above amendments and to update the general information of various land use zonings, where appropriate.

     The draft Fanling/Sheung Shui OZP No. S/FSS/23, incorporating the amendments, is now available for public inspection during office hours at the following locations:

(i) the Secretariat of the Town Planning Board;
(ii) the Planning Enquiry Counters of the Planning Department in North Point and Sha Tin;
(iii) the Fanling, Sheung Shui and Yuen Long East District Planning Office;
(iv) the North District Office;
(v) the Fanling District Rural Committee; and
(vi) the Sheung Shui District Rural Committee.

     Any person may make written representations in respect of the amendments to the Secretary of the Town Planning Board on or before May 29. Any person who intends to make representation is advised to read the revised Town Planning Board Guidelines No. 29B on "Submission and Publication of Representations, Comments on Representations and Further Representations under the Town Planning Ordinance" (TPB PG-No.29B) promulgated in November 2018 and taking effect in 2019. Submission of representation should comply with the requirements set out in TPB PG-No. 29B. The Guidelines and the submission form are available at locations (i) and (ii) above and the Board's website (www.info.gov.hk/tpb).

     Copies of the draft Fanling/Sheung Shui OZP are available for sale at the Map Publications Centres in North Point and Yau Ma Tei. The electronic version of the plan can be viewed at the Town Planning Board's website (www.info.gov.hk/tpb).




Appointment of Vice-President of the Court of Appeal of the High Court

The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary:
 
     The Judiciary today (March 29) announced the appointment of the Honourable Madam Justice Susan Kwan Shuk-hing, Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court, as Vice-President of the Court of Appeal of the High Court with effect from April 1, 2019.
      
     The biographical note of the Honourable Madam Justice Kwan is as follows:
      
     The Honourable Madam Justice Kwan was born in 1954 in Macao. After obtaining LL.B. and P.C.LL. from the University of Hong Kong in 1977 and 1978 respectively, she was called to the Bar in Hong Kong in 1979. She was in private practice between 1980 and 1999. She was appointed as a Deputy Registrar of the High Court in 1999 and as a Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court in 2001. She was appointed as a Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court in 2009.




CS to lead HKSAR Government delegation to attend Hong Kong/Shenzhen Co-operation Meeting in Shenzhen

     The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, will lead a delegation of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government to Shenzhen in the afternoon on April 2. He will co-chair the Hong Kong/Shenzhen Co-operation Meeting with the Mayor of the Shenzhen Municipal Government, Mr Chen Rugui.

     At the meeting, Hong Kong and Shenzhen will discuss the strengthening of mutual co-operation in various areas and sign co-operation agreements.

     Members of the HKSAR Government delegation will include the Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Nicholas W Yang; Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lau Kong-wah; Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan; Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Patrick Nip; Acting Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Dr Bernard Chan; Under Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Andy Chan; and Under Secretary for Transport and Housing, Dr Raymond So Wai-man.

     The delegation will return to Hong Kong in the evening on the same day.




Special traffic arrangements for Ching Ming Festival

     Police will implement special traffic arrangements in various districts to facilitate grave sweepers, and to ensure smooth vehicular traffic movements and pedestrian safety during Ching Ming Festival.

Hong Kong Island
—————-

(1) Chai Wan

A. Road closure

Phase I
     
     Vehicles will be allowed to use Cape Collison Road east of Lin Shing Road from 7am to 6pm daily on March 30, April 13, 19, 20, 22 and 28, and May 1. Special traffic arrangements in Phase II may be implemented when necessary.

Phase II

     The following roads will be closed between 7am and 6.30pm daily on March 31, April 6, 14 and 21:

– The slip road leading from Cape Collinson Road to the Garden of Remembrance and Crematorium, except for hearses and funeral vehicles;
– The slip road leading to Chai Wan Chinese Permanent Cemetery;
– Wan Tsui Lane;
– Cape Collinson Road east of Lin Shing Road, except for green minibus (GMB) route 18M, hearses, funeral vehicles and vehicles with permit;
– Cape Collinson Road west of Lin Shing Road, except for franchised buses, GMB routes 16A, 16M and 16X, hearses, funeral vehicles and vehicles with permit;
– Southbound Lin Shing Road, except for franchised buses, GMB routes 16A, 16M, 16X and 18M, hearses, funeral vehicles, vehicles with permit, and vehicles heading to Wan Tsui Estate; – Northbound Lin Shing Road, except for GMB route 18M, hearses, funeral vehicles and vehicles with permit; and
– If necessary, the leftmost lane of northbound Wan Tsui Road between Chai Wan Road and Fei Tsui Road.

     Depending on traffic condition, taxis and public light buses (PLBs) may be allowed to enter Lin Shing Road and turn right to Cape Collinson Road.

     Special traffic arrangements in Phase III may be implemented when necessary.

Phase III

     The following roads will be closed between 7am and 7pm daily on April 5 and 7:

– The slip road leading from Cape Collinson Road to the Garden of Remembrance and Crematorium, except for hearses and funeral vehicles;
– The slip road leading to Chai Wan Chinese Permanent Cemetery;
– Wan Tsui Lane;
– Cape Collinson Road east of Lin Shing Road, except for hearses, funeral vehicles and vehicles with permit;
– Cape Collinson Road west of Lin Shing Road, except for franchised buses, GMB routes 16A, 16M and 16X, hearses, funeral vehicles and vehicles with permit;
– Southbound Lin Shing Road, except for franchised buses, GMB routes 16A, 16M and 16X, hearses, funeral vehicles, vehicles with permit, and vehicles heading to Wan Tsui Estate; and
– If necessary, the leftmost lane of northbound Wan Tsui Road between Chai Wan Road and Fei Tsui Road.

B. Traffic diversions

     In connection with the above road closures, the following roads will be re-routed:

– Cape Collinson Road between its slip road to Crematorium and Shek O Road will be re-routed one-way westbound; and
– Eastern section of Wan Tsui Road between Chai Wan Road and Fei Tsui Road will be re-routed one-way westbound.

C. No parking

     No parking will be permitted along the following roads:

– Cape Collinson Road;
– Lin Shing Road;
– Shek O Road between Lai Chi Rehabilitation Centre and Tai Tam Road;
– Wan Tsui Road;
– The lay-by along Shek O Road; and
– The lay-by along Tai Tam Road between Shek O Road and Tai Tam Tuk Reservoir.

     Taxis, PLBs and private cars cannot enter Lin Shing Road for Cape Collinson Road, except for vehicles gaining access to Wan Tsui Estate. They will be allowed to drop off passengers at the PLB stand on Fei Tsui Road near the junction with Wan Tsui Road.

     PLBs cannot pick up/set down passengers along Wan Tsui Road between Chai Wan Road and Lin Shing Road.

     Depending on traffic conditions, PLBs may not be allowed to enter Tai Tam Road from Chai Wan Road.

(2) Pok Fu Lam

     Consort Rise between Victoria Road and Bisney Road will be re-routed one-way southbound from 7am to 5pm daily on March 30 and 31, April 5, 6, 7, 13 and 14.

(3) Aberdeen

     The following roads will be closed between 7am and 6pm daily on March 30 and 31, April 5, 6, 7, 13 and 14:
     
– Peel Rise in the vicinity of the Aberdeen Chinese Permanent Cemetery; and
– the slip road from Shek Pai Wan Road leading to the Aberdeen Chinese Permanent Cemetery.

Kowloon
——-

(1) Tseung Kwan O

     The access road leading to Tseung Kwan O Chinese Permanent Cemetery will be closed from 5.30am to 6pm daily on March 30, April 6, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 22, 27 and 28, and May 1, except for special route No. 14S of Kowloon Motor Bus Company, hearses, funeral vehicles and vehicles with permit.

     The above road will be closed from 5.30am to 8pm daily on March 31, April 5 and 7.

     Grave-sweepers can go to the cemetery on foot via the access road on Ko Chiu Road or via the footpath with staircases opposite MTR Tiu Keng Leng Station. Those using wheel chairs are advised to enter the cemetery at Ko Chiu Road.

(2) Sai Kung

     Mang Kung Wo Road leading to Kei Pik Shan Cemetery will be closed from 8am to 5pm daily on March 30 and 31, April 5 and 6, except for vehicles with permit.

(3) Diamond Hill

     The following traffic arrangements will be implemented from 7am to 6pm daily on March 30 and 31, April 5, 6, 7, 13 and 14:

A. Road closure

– The access road leading to the Diamond Hill Crematorium, except for hearses and funeral vehicles;
– The access road between the Diamond Hill Funeral Parlour and the China Light and Power (CLP) Sub-station, except for hearses and funeral vehicles;
– The access road adjacent to the Diamond Hill Funeral Parlour leading to Sze Chen Hall, except for hearses and funeral vehicles;
– Yuk Hok Lane, except for private cars and taxis; and
– Yuk Wah Street east of Tsz Wan Shan Road, except for private cars and taxis.
     
     Motorcycles will be allowed to use Yuk Hok Lane and Yuk Wah Street east of Tsz Wan Shan Road on April 13 and 14.

B. Traffic diversions

– Vehicles must follow southbound Po Kong Village Road downhill for entering or leaving Fung Shing Street or Fu Shan Estate car park;
– Vehicles must follow northbound Po Kong Village Road uphill for entering or leaving Grand View Garden car park;
– Vehicles from eastbound Po Kong Village Road can turn to westbound Yuk Wah Street via the easternmost traffic lane of Tsz Wan Shan (South) Bus Terminus;
– Traffic along westbound Fung Shing Street cannot turn right to northbound Po Kong Village Road uphill;
– Traffic along northbound Po Kong Village Road uphill cannot turn right to eastbound Fung Shing Street;
– Vehicles from Grand View Garden car park cannot turn right to southbound Po Kong Village Road downhill;
– Traffic along southbound Po Kong Village Road downhill cannot turn right to Grand View Garden car park;
– Vehicles from Fu Shan Estate car park cannot turn right to northbound Po Kong Village Road uphill;
– Traffic along northbound Po Kong Village Road uphill cannot turn right to Fu Shan Estate car park;
– Traffic along southbound Po Kong Village Road downhill cannot turn right to Po Kong Village Road School Village car park;
– Vehicles from Po Kong Village Road School Village car park cannot turn right to southbound Po Kong Village Road downhill;
– Traffic along southbound Po Kong Village Road downhill cannot turn right to the unnamed road opposite to Po Leung Lane;
– Traffic along the unnamed road opposite to Po Leung Lane cannot turn right to southbound Po Kong Village Road downhill;
– Vehicles from Tsz Wan Shan (South) Bus Terminus cannot turn right to eastbound Yuk Wah Street, except franchised buses; and
– Traffic along Yuk Wah Crescent cannot turn right to eastbound Yuk Wah Street.

C. Suspension of parking spaces

     Parking spaces at the following locations will be suspended:

– Metered parking spaces on the unnamed road between the Diamond Hill Funeral Parlour and CLP Sub-station; and
– Five metered parking spaces in Yuk Wah Street car park.
     
     Motorcycle parking spaces at Yuk Wah Street near Yuk Hok Lane will be suspended from 7am to 6pm daily on March 30 and 31, April 5, 6 and 7.

     Po Kong Village Road School Village car park will be closed and designated as taxi and private car drop-off point from 7am to 6pm daily on March 31, April 5 and 7.

D. Passengers pick-up and drop-off points

     The pick-up and drop-off points for taxis will be at westbound Fung Shing Street near Fu Yan House of Fu Shan Estate and westbound Yuk Wah Street near Yuk Hok Lane.

     The pick-up and drop-off point for private cars will be at westbound Yuk Wah Street near Yuk Hok Lane.

(4) Cheung Sha Wan

A. Road closure

– Wing Ming Lane will be closed between 7am and 7pm daily on March 30 and 31, and April 5, 6 and 7, except for vehicles with permit;  
– Wing Ming Street will be closed between 7am and 7pm daily on April 5, 6 and 7, except for vehicles with permit; and
– Entrance road to the catholic cemetery on Wing Tak Road will be closed between 7am and 5pm daily on April 5, 6 and 7, except for hearses, funeral vehicles and vehicles with permit.

B. No stopping or parking

     The following traffic arrangements will be implemented on April 5, 6, and 7:

– Parking will be prohibited on Yu Chau West Street between Castle Peak Road and King Lam Street between 7am and 7pm daily;
– Vehicles are prohibited to drop off or pick up passengers along Yu Chau West Street near Wing Ming Street; and
– Stopping or parking will be prohibited on Ching Cheung Road between 7am and 7pm daily.

C. Suspension of on-street parking spaces

     All parking spaces on Yu Chau West Street; Tai Nan West Street; and King Lam Street and Wing Hong Street between Yu Chau West Street and Tai Nan West Street will be suspended between 7am and 7pm daily on March 30 and 31, and April 5, 6 and 7.  

     Members of the public wishing to gain access to the catholic cemetery are advised to use the subway across Ching Cheung Road from the end of Wing Ming Lane. No parking facilities in the cemetery will be open to public use.

New Territories
—————

(1) Wo Hop Shek

     The following traffic arrangements will be implemented daily on March 30 and 31, April 5, 6, 7, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21 and 22:

A. Road closure (daily from 6am to 5pm)

– Kiu Tau Road, except for hearses;
– Ming Yin Road, except for franchised buses;
– Wo Ka Lau Road; and
– All access roads within Wo Hop Shek Cemetery.

B. Traffic diversions

– Traffic along northbound Pak Wo Road near Fung Ying Seen Koon cannot turn right to southbound Pak Wo Road; and
– Traffic along southbound Pak Wo Road near MTR Fanling Station cannot turn right to the car park on Pak Wo Road near Fung Ying Seen Koon.

C. Suspension of parking spaces (daily from 7am to 5pm)

– The car park on Wo Hing Road near Ming Yin Road roundabout,  except for taxis;
– The car park on Pak Wo Road near Fung Ying Seen Koon, except for the disabled parking spaces and public buses of the residents’ service route NR112. Depending on prevailing situation, vehicles carrying elderly and disabled passengers may be allowed to use the car park for interchange with shuttle buses heading for the Wo Hop Shek cemetery; and
– Parking spaces on Wah Ming Lane.

(2) Sandy Ridge

     The Frontier Closed Area from Lo Wu Station to Lo Wu Station Road will be open to grave-sweepers between 6am and 6pm daily until April 28.

     The following roads will be closed between 6am and 6pm daily on March 30 and 31, April 5, 6, 7, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21 and 22:

– Lo Wu Station Road from its junction with Man Kam To Road to a point of about 280 metres west of the same junction, near the cemetery management office, except for vehicles of Lo Wu Village residents and vehicles that are allowed to park at the car park of MTR Lo Wu Station; and
– Sha Ling Road, except for vehicles of Sha Ling residents.

(3) Lau Fau Shan

     The following special traffic arrangements will be implemented from 8.45am to 4pm daily on March 31 and April 5:

– Traffic along Deep Bay Road from Sha Kiu Tsuen and Mong Tseng Tsuen towards Lau Fau Shan upon reaching Mong Tseng San Road must turn left to Mong Tseng San Road towards Tin Ying Road, except GMB route 35;
– Deep Bay Road between Mong Tseng San Road and the entrance of Wan Fau Sin Koon will be re-routed to one-way eastbound;
– Mong Tseng San Road will be re-routed to one-way southbound; and
– Traffic along Tin Ying Road cannot enter the slip road heading for Mong Tseng San Road.

(4) Tuen Mun
     
     The following traffic arrangements will be implemented daily from 7am to 7pm on March 30 and 31, April 5, 6, 7, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21 and 22:

A. Intermittent road closure

– Tsing San Path; and
– The access roads leading to Ching Chung Koon and Ching Chung Sin Yuen.

B. Traffic diversions

– Tsing Chung Koon Road between Tsing Lun Road and San Fuk Road will be re-routed one-way northbound; and
– San Fuk Road between Leung Shun Street and Tsing Chun Koon Road will be re-routed one-way westbound.

C. Passengers pick-up and drop-off points

     Three temporary pick up and drop off points will be set up at northbound Tsing Chung Koon Road opposite to Castle Peak Hospital, northbound Tsing Chung Koon Road opposite to Tuen Mun Hospital, and westbound Tsing Lun Road outside Tuen Mun Hospital.

(5) Kwai Tsing

     Wing Yin Street and Wing Hau Street will be closed from 7am to 5pm daily on March 30, April 6, 13, 19, 20, 21 and 22, except for hearses and franchised buses. 

     The following traffic arrangements will be implemented from 7am to 5pm daily on March 31, April 5, 7, and 14:

– Southbound Wing Tak Street between the entrance of City Point and Wing Shun Street, Wing Yin Street, and Wing Shun Street between Wing Tak Street and Kwai Hei Street will be closed, except for hearses, franchised buses, GMBs and taxis;
– Wing Chong Street, Wing Hau Street and Wing Lap Street will be closed; and
– Wing Kei Road between Kwai Hei Street and Wing Kin Road will be re-routed one-way southbound. Vehicles must travel via Wing Kin Road for Wing Kei Road.

(6) Sha Tin
     
     The following roads will be closed between 7am and 6pm daily on March 30 and 31, April 5, 6, 7, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21 and 22:

– Lower Shing Mun Road between Yau On Street and Fu Shan Crematorium, except for hearses, funeral vehicles and GMB route 64K; and
– Pai Tau Street west of its junction with Sheung Wo Che Road.

(7) To Fung Shan

     To Fung Shan Road north of its junction with Pak Lok Path will be closed between 9am and 5pm daily on March 30 and 31, April 5, 6 and 7, except for vehicles serving residents and people working in To Fung Shan.

(8) Tsuen Wan

     Lo Wai Road between Lo Wai Pai Lau and Yuen Yuen Institute will be closed from 8am to 5pm daily on March 30 and 31, April 5, 6, and 7, except for franchised buses, taxis, GMBs and vehicles with permit.

     During the road closure period, all metered parking spaces on Lo Wai Road near Yi Pei Chun Road, Lo Wai old bus terminus and outside Yuen Yuen Institute will be suspended.

     Any vehicles found illegally parked within the precinct of the above areas may be towed away without prior notice.

     Actual implementation of the traffic arrangements will be made depending on traffic and crowd conditions in the areas. Motorists are advised to exercise tolerance and patience and take heed of instructions of the Police on site.




Effective Exchange Rate Index

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Friday, March 29, 2019 is 103.4 (same as yesterday's index).