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Following the event, when there were reports about the crowd control and transport situation, the Director of Home Affairs apologised to residents and spectators who had been inconvenienced that night. An inter-departmental review was convened by the District Officer/Tuen Mun. The meeting agreed that while the main objective of the event was achieved and inter-departmental co-ordination was satisfactory, there were clearly congestions and delays in journeys caused by the sheer size of the crowd which was significantly larger than anticipated.
Regarding whether Tuen Mun was suitable for holding major public events, concerned department did recognize that traffic and transport arrangement would be more difficult to handle because Tuen Mun was not served by mass carriers like the KCR and the MTR. However, as there had been one fireworks display in 1989 which was smoothly conducted, and also taking into consideration other relevant factors, it was decided to proceed with the fireworks display. The debriefing session on 13 January did not rule out similar public events in Tuen Mun, but the experience gained in the last New Year's Eve would be fully taken into account in future. New traffic arrangement for example, for any future major displays in Tuen Mun, could be introduced. It might for example be possible to pedestrianize a wider section of Castle Peak Road and provide bus boarding points at locations which could exit Tuen Mun Road quickly.
End
Castle Peak Road widening project
Following is a question by the Hon Howard Young and a reply by the Secretary for Transport, Mr Gordon Siu, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Question:
With regard to the feasibility studies and plans being undertaken on the project of widening of Castle Peak Road, will the Government inform this Council whether consideration is being given to providing adequate lay-bys and stopping places for coaches at certain vantage points along Castle Peak Road which can give viewers a panoramic view of the Tsing Ma Bridge, so as to develop the road into a tourist attraction as well as a transport artery between Tsuen Wan and Tuen Mun; if not, why not?