XN000022-1995-07-17 — Page 6

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It was observed that between 7 am and 10 am, about 1,200 vehicles joined Tuen Mun Road from Sham Tseng and the traffic flow decreased after 9 am. The merging of the traffic on Tuen Mun Road from the interchange was satisfactory. This has resulted in improved traffic conditions and car journey time in Castle Peak Road. Traffic queue in Tuen Mun Town and at Tai Chung Roundabout in Tsuen Wan was each reduced by about half.

Regarding Siu Lam Interchange, opening up this interchange would introduce another break in, or a deletion of a substantial length of the bus-only lane. Between only three to six kilometres of bus-only lane, out of the original 14 kilometres in total length, would remain to operate on Tuen Mun Road. Further delay on bus journeys would be caused in addition to that due to opening of Sham Tseng Interchange.

"Opening up Siu Lam Interchange would mean effectively taking away the bus- only lane and so this is considered not feasible," Mr Lui said.

The operation of the bus-only lane and associated measures will be reviewed from time to time.

End/Monday, July 17, 1995

Index of industrial production for first quarter 1995

The index of industrial production for the first quarter of this year increased by 3.7% over the same quarter last year, according to the results of a survey released today (Monday) by the Census and Statistics Department.

This was the largest increase recorded since the second quarter of 1989, and was in line with the pick up in export performance in recent quarter.

The production of the basic metals and fabricated metal products industry had a notable growth of 8.7%, and that of paper products and printing industry increased by 6.4%.

An increase of 5.5% was recorded in the industry group of electrical and electronic products, machinery, professional equipment and optical goods. Within this group, the production of consumer electrical and electronic products increased by 8.6%, and that of machinery, equipment, apparatus, parts and components also increased by 7.0%.