XN000022-1997-03-13 — Page 12

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DBS consulted on traffic measures for fireworks display

District boards and members of the public will be consulted on the Goverment's preliminary proposal on crowd control, special traffic and public transport arrangements for the official opening ceremony of the Lantau Link,

A spokesman for the New Airport Projects Co-ordination Office (NAPCO) said today (Thursday) that the highlight of the opening ceremony will be a 20-minute long fireworks display which will start at 8 pm on Sunday, April 27.

The spokesman said that since large crowds may turn up at Castle Peak Road and its adjacent beaches and Tsing Yi to view the fireworks, special crowd control, traffic and transport arrangements have been proposed by an inter-departmental working group to ensure public safety.

"Every effort will be made to minimise the inconvenience caused by traffic diversion and road closure but we appeal to residents in the affected areas to bear with us and help us to make the opening ceremony of the Lantau Link, Hong Kong's newest landmark, an occasion to remember," said the spokesman.

He said that those members of the public wishing to watch the display from the nearest vantage point at Castle Peak Road should, however, be aware that although special arrangements will be in place on the day, there could still be lengthy hold-ups along the roads after the event if the numbers turning up are large.

Members of the public may wish to consider the alternative of watching the fireworks display on television rather than have to face the prospect of lengthy delays before getting home that night.

The spokesman said that the special measures had been drawn up after taking into account the following factors:

the need to ensure public safety at various locations, especially along the stretch of Castle Peak Road facing the Lantau Link and the adjacent beaches;

the need to minimise inconvenience to local residents who live at these viewing points or their vicinity as well as the travelling public who may have to use the connecting road network;

the need to disperse large crowds who may turn up at these viewing points on April 27 as expeditiously as possible; and