XN000022-1996-01-26 — Page 9

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Fruit market drivers urged to use parking area for loading

Fruit market operators and lorry drivers at the Yau Ma Tei Fruit Market are urged to make better use of the parking area in Shek Lung Street for loading and unloading activities to help minimise environmental nuisances in the area, the Yau Tsim Mong District Officer, Mr Bart Ireland, said today (Friday).

Speaking after an inter-departmental meeting on the traffic arrangement scheme on streets near the fruit market, Mr Ireland said various departments, including the Home Affairs Department, the Transport Department, the Agriculture and Fisheries Department and the Police were maintaining a dialogue with the lorry drivers who went on strike this morning in protest against the new scheme which was scheduled to be implemented on January 30.

The scheme was introduced as one of the mitigation measures to minimise the environmental nuisance and traffic disruption caused by the fruit market following the receipt of numerous complaints from local residents, Mr Ireland said.

Under the scheme, the sections of Public Square Street, Reclamation Street and Shanghai Street near the fruit market are designated as restricted zones from 7 pm to 7

am.

"Fruit market operators and lorry drivers can use the parking area in Shek Lung Street for loading and unloading activities," Mr Ireland noted.

"In view of the concerns raised by the lorry drivers about the new arrangements, the Government will continue to discuss with them the ways to tackle the problem.

"Details of the outcome of today's meeting will be discussed with the drivers next Monday."

Mr Ireland said the traffic arrangement was proposed by the Yau Tsim Mong District Management Committee which comprised representatives from various departments including the Transport Department and the Police, and was endorsed by the Yau Tsim Mong District Board at a meeting early this month.

End