70 -
Traffic congestion at Au Tau Roundabout
Following is a question by Dr the Hon Tang Siu-tong and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport, Mr Haider Barma, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Question:
Since the opening of the New Territories Circular Road in 1993, the traffic flow at Yuen Long - Au Tau Roundabout has increased drastically. This has resulted in traffic congestion occurring during peak hours, with the vehicle queue often stretching to as far as the Southern Bypass and Fairview Roundabout. In view of this, will the Government inform this Council:
(a)
(b)
whether the Government has put in place any interim or special measures to ease traffic congestion at the above locations; and
what progress has been made regarding the road project under which a flyover and a slip road are being planned to be built at Au Tau to link up Castle Peak Road and the Circular Road for regulating the flow of traffic in the area; and when these roads are expected to be opened to traffic?
Reply:
Mr President,
(a)
In recent years, traffic has increased substantially in the North West New Territories, including Castle Peak Road and the New Territories Circular Road (NTCR). The Au Tau Roundabout provides a link between Castle. Peak Road in the west, the NTCR in the north and Kam Tin Road in the east. It is now heavily congested during morning peak hours.
In 1993, improvements were instituted to enhance the capacity of the roundabout by providing two exclusive left-turn lanes from Castle Peak Road into the NTCR and an exclusive straight-ahead lane from Kam Tin Road to Castle Peak Road bypassing the roundabout. In late 1994, at the request of the Yuen Long District Board, a temporary traffic signal was installed in Castle Peak Road for use during peak hours, so as to permit more vehicles to enter the roundabout from the NTCR. However, with the continued growth in both cross-border and local traffic, conditions at the roundabout have again deteriorated, particularly during the morning peak hours.
[
Page 90Page 91