TNAG-1735-FCO40-2448-Minutes-and-Hansards-of-the-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1988 — Page 67

HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL — 1 June 1988

1497

Introduction of a 24-hour service at Man Kam To checking point

2. MR. LAI asked (in Cantonese): Will Government consider introducing a 24-hour service at the Man Kam To crossing point to cope with the increase in cross-border traffic particularly goods vehicles so as to facilitate the growing volume of trade with China?

SECRETARY FOR SECURITY: Sir, border opening hours and traffic problems are reviewed regularly by a joint working group consisting of Hong Kong and Shenzhen officials and, although there are no plans to introduce a 24-hour service at the Man Kam To crossing point, adjustments are made as necessary, with the agreement of both sides.

The Man Kam To terminal was set up in July 1980 when the opening hours were from 7.30 am to 6 pm. The closing time was extended to 8 pm on 1 October 1984 because of the heavy traffic through the crossing point. Currently, an average of 8 940 vehicles and 2 481 passengers use the crossing point every day although both figures are greater on peak days. The traffic is not constant throughout the day and there are identifiable peaks in the mornings and in the afternoons. Traffic is usually light after 7 pm.

Inevitably there are some delays at the crossing point at peak hours, but congestion is not now as serious as it was in the autumn of last year. There is also a new border crossing point being built at Lok Ma Chau, which will open early next year. This is being built jointly with the Shenzhen authorities and, with a capacity of 40 000 vehicles per day, will solve congestion problems at vehicular border crossing points for the foreseeable future.

In the meantime, Sir, the situation at Man Kam To will be kept under review.

MR. LAI (in Cantonese): Sir, paragraph 2 of the reply says that currently we have an average of 8 717 vehicles passing through the crossing point per day. Could the Administration inform this Council how many of these are goods vehicles? As for the point that after 7 pm traffic is usually light, of course this is a common phenomenon because most drivers know that the crossing point will be closed at 8 pm. So, could the Administration consider extending the opening hours of the Man Kam To crossing point, or to have a 24-hour service, so that it can cater for the traffic situation and we do not have to rely on the new crossing point at Lok Ma Chau which is not to be opened until next year?

SECRETARY FOR SECURITY: Sir, the figures which I actually gave in my oral reply were 8 940 and 2 481, and I should point out that these differ slightly from the printed version. With regard to the number of goods vehicles going across at Man Kam To, Sir, the total number of container trucks and other goods vehicles for the whole month of April was 259 832. I am sure if my hon. Friend