The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The special meeting of the Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Development originally scheduled for today (November 19) at 8.30am in Conference Room 1 of the LegCo Complex will be held at 9am.
The Transport Department (TD) today (November 19) appealed to members of the public to pay attention to the traffic situation and the latest public transport service arrangement this morning before starting their journey.
As at 6am today, the latest public transport situation is as follows:
(I) MTR
All MTR lines maintain services today. Except the Airport Express Line, the train service will end at 11pm.
Whampoa, Tsim Sha Tsui, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Hung Hom and University stations are closed. Entrances/Exits at some stations will also be closed. Train services may be suspended or adjusted due to incidents. Members of the public are advised to continue to stay tuned to the latest traffic news.
From start of service, East Rail Line service will be provided between Mong Kok East and Lo Wu/Lok Ma Chau stations (not stopping at University Station). Free shuttle bus service running between Tai Po Market and Kam Sheung Road stations will be arranged during morning and evening peak periods.
West Rail Line service will end at Austin Station. Kwun Tong Line service will end at Ho Man Tin Station.
Light Rail Route 751P is substituted by Route 706. Routes 614, 614P, 751 and 761P will be diverted. Light Rail Vehicles will not stop at Chestwood and Yau Oi stops.
(II) Hung Hom Cross Harbour Tunnel
Due to the damage of the Administration Building and toll plaza, and the traffic management system has been damaged, the Hung Hom Cross Harbour Tunnel (both bounds) cannot be opened soon. Motorists crossing harbour must use Western Harbour Crossing and Eastern Harbour Crossing. To deal with the surge in traffic flow, the TD has urged the tunnel operators to closely monitor the situation and strengthen control measures when necessary. The TD has coordinated with franchised bus companies to increase the frequency of the cross harbour bus routes as appropriate.
(III) Franchised bus
Major roads in Kowloon East and Yau Tsim Mong District in Kowloon are yet to be opened due to continued road blockages. Some bus routes may be temporarily diverted or suspended. The major affected road sections include Chatham Road South near the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (both bounds), Nathan Road between Argyle Street and Salisbury Road (both bounds), Hong Chong Road (both bounds) and East Kowloon Way (both bounds). Police will implement road closure, traffic control and diversion measures depending on the traffic conditions on site.
(IV) Ferry services
Currently, inner harbour ferry routes have tried to strengthen their services to address the passenger demand. The TD will, together with with the ferry operators and the trade, study measures to further strengthen the inner harbour ferry services and carrying capacity as far as practicable.
About 160 sets of traffic lights are still under urgent repair. Those in Yau Tsim Mong and Yuen Long are seriously affected. Motorists and pedestrians are advised to be patient and pay attention to road safety when passing through the affected junctions.
As traffic conditions and railway services may change within a short period of time, the TD urges commuters using public transport services to allow more travelling time and plan their journey in advance. Details of the latest traffic news are available at TD's website (www.td.gov.hk/en/home/index.html) or mobile application "HKeMobility".
Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:
The fire danger situation today (November 19) is red and fire risk is extreme. The countryside is extremely vulnerable to fire. If you are planning to spend the day in the countryside, please take pre-cooked food for a picnic and take all measures to prevent hill fires. The penalty for lighting fires illegally in the countryside is $25,000 and a year's imprisonment.
Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:
Please broadcast the following special announcement immediately, and repeat it at frequent intervals:
"The Social Welfare Department announces that as there are still uncertain factors affecting the roads and traffic conditions, members of the public are advised not to take their children or family members to child care centres, centres providing after school care programmes, elderly services centres or day rehabilitation units including sheltered workshops, integrated vocational rehabilitation services centres and day activity centres today (November 19). These centres will, however, remain open during their normal operating hours to serve those whose families cannot provide alternative care for them. Members of the public who have the need for the services mentioned may contact the service units concerned in advance."
Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:
Please broadcast the following message as soon as possible and repeat it at suitable intervals:
Due to the mass gatherings, a number of thoroughfares in the Kowloon district are being obstructed. The road blockages have seriously affected fire appliances and ambulances in providing fire and emergency ambulance services.
The Fire Services Department urges members of the public to stop blocking the roads immediately to enable the fire appliances and ambulances to provide prompt responses to emergency calls, safeguarding the lives and property of the general public.