The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) Public Works Subcommittee visited the Heung Yuen Wai Highway, connecting the Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point with the Fanling Highway, today (May 21) to learn about the latest progress of construction and the preparation work for the commissioning of the Highway.

     Members first visited the 4.8 km-long Lung Shan Tunnel, the longest land-based road tunnel in Hong Kong, of Heung Yuen Wai Highway and received a briefing from representatives of the Civil Engineering and Development Department and Transport Department on the construction of the Heung Yuen Wai Highway and Lung Shan Tunnel as well as the traffic arrangements upon their commissioning. Members learnt that after the commissioning of the Highway, the traffic in North District and the Eastern cross-boundary traffic would be improved.

     Members then travelled through the Lung Shan Tunnel and Cheung Shan Tunnel and visited the viaduct of Heung Yuen Wai Highway. Members were briefed on the Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point project and its latest development to better understand the facilities of the new boundary control point as well as the cross-boundary and local transport arrangements upon commissioning.

     The Subcommittee considered a funding proposal on "Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point and associated works – site formation and infrastructure works" in the 2014-2015 session. At the invitation of the Government, this visit aims at understanding the latest progress of the project. The Heung Yuen Wai Highway will open from Sunday (May 26).

     Members participating in the visit included the Chairman of the Subcommittee, Dr Lo Wai-kwok; Subcommittee members Mr Ma Fung-kwok and Mr Lau Kwok-fan; and non-Subcommittee member Ms Yung Hoi-yan.

      

     To enhance public awareness of water sport safety, the Marine Department (MD), the Hong Kong Police Force and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) held the 2019 Safety Afloat Educational Seminar at the Hong Kong Science Museum today (May 21). The Deputy Director of Marine, Mr Wong Sai-fat, spoke at the seminar and reminded the public to be well prepared before participating in water sports to ensure safety.
 
     The MD reminded coxswains and vessel operators to make appropriate preparations before setting sail for water sports. They should plan the voyages and consider whether the vessel's structure is suitable for the area and the activity to be conducted. There should be enough experienced crew members on board to guide passengers to follow safety instructions when engaging in water sports. Coxswains and vessel operators should also familiarise themselves with all the safety precautions and contingency measures, check the vessel's structure and its safety equipment on board before setting sail, and know the location of the equipment and how to use it. They should also collect sufficient weather forecast information for the whole voyage and take heed of weather conditions or warnings.
 
      Coxswains operating pleasure vessels should navigate carefully when entering shallow waters, speed-restricted zones or waters in which others are engaging in water sports. Vessel operators should take appropriate safety measures to avoid any possible risk if they see other water sport activities nearby.
 
     The MD has implemented a new regulation on small open cruisers by introducing conditions in the operating licences of these vessels to impose restrictions on their operating area and to forbid modification of hull structure or installed engine. All persons on board should also wear a lifejacket at all times.
 
     Meanwhile, people should swim at beaches with lifeguards on duty, stay inside the beach area and avoid swimming near anchored vessels. They should understand their physical abilities, take care of their children and avoid swimming alone or away from companions. They should also refrain from swimming right after consumption of food, alcohol or drugs. To prevent accidents, divers should observe relevant guidelines and maintain safety awareness at all times. In particular, while surfacing, special attention should be paid to the environment and movement of vessels in the vicinity. Proper buoyant signals should be displayed.
 
     As the typhoon season is approaching, the MD urges owners, coxswains and persons-in-charge of local vessels, including pleasure vessels, to remain vigilant to the threat of typhoons. Before the onset of a typhoon, appropriate precautionary measures must be taken to ensure the safety of vessels and persons on board.
 
     The MD will continue its promotional and educational work to inform the public about safety while engaging in water sports. To further enhance public awareness of the use of local vessels during water sports, the MD has produced promotional leaflets to provide safety advice concerning various water sports.
 
     Officers of the Marine Police and the MD will step up their patrols in speed-restricted zones, waters in the vicinity of popular beaches and water sport sites, and will take action against any illegal or reckless boating activities. LCSD lifeguards will also keep an eye out for boating activities at beaches and adjacent waters. They will alert officers of the MD and the Marine Police to take law enforcement action against offenders when necessary.

     The MD hopes that the industry and the public will co-operate in promoting water sport safety, so that everyone can enjoy pleasant leisure activities.

    

     The Highways Department (HyD) today (May 21) signed a contract with Alchmex-Paul Y Joint Venture for works in Kai Tak East under the Central Kowloon Route (CKR) project. The works mainly comprise the construction of an approximately 700-metre-long CKR main line in Kai Tak; the construction of the Kai Tak Interchange, including bridges, underpasses and associated at-grade slip roads, connecting the CKR with the existing road network; and other associated works. The contract value is about $1,974 million.

     The Director of Highways, Mr Jimmy Chan, said at the contract signing ceremony that the Kai Tak East contract is the largest New Engineering Contract (NEC) adopting a target cost contract option awarded by the HyD so far. The NEC emphasises mutual trust and co-operation between the contracting parties and has provisions to increase cost effectiveness and reduce risk.

     The CKR will be a 4.7-kilometre-long dual three-lane strategic trunk road in Central Kowloon linking the Yau Ma Tei Interchange in West Kowloon with the road network of the Kai Tak Development and Kowloon Bay in East Kowloon. The CKR, anticipated to be commissioned in 2025, will relieve traffic congestion in the road network in Central Kowloon. It is estimated that the journey time between Yau Ma Tei and Kowloon Bay during peak hours will be reduced from 25 minutes to about 5 minutes, which would be equivalent to an economic benefit of about $3 billion per year. A total of five works contracts including the present one have been awarded under the CKR project with a total value of about $17 billion, and the remaining CKR contracts will be rolled out in tandem.

  

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Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (May 21) that due to suspected red tide sightings, red flags have been hoisted at Lido Beach, Casam Beach, Approach Beach and Ting Kau Beach in Tsuen Wan District. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at these beaches until further notice.

     A company was fined $4,000 at the Eastern Magistrates' Courts today (May 21) for contravening the Clubs (Safety of Premises) Ordinance.
      
     The courts heard that in October last year, officers from the Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA) of the Home Affairs Department conducted an inspection at a club on Staunton Street in Central which had been operating with a certificate of compliance (CoC).
      
     OLA officers posed as customers and patronised the club for food and drinks without being asked to show their membership status or being invited to join the club as members. Condition 19 of the CoC was breached.  
      
     The company, being the CoC holder of the club, was charged with contravening section 21(2) of the Ordinance.
      
     A spokesman for the department reminded all CoC holders to comply with the conditions as stipulated therein. Enforcement action would continue to be taken against illegal club operations.