TNAG-1937-FCO40-2763-Future-of-Hong-Kong-defence-and-public-order-1989 — Page 25

6.6.69

6.6.70

6.6.71

6.6.72

By paralleling Victoria Road around the western end of Hong Kong Island, Route 7 provides an alternative of considerably greater length for vehicles presently using the Pokfulam/Victoria Road corridor. The fact that Route 7 has spare capacity while the other roads remain congested suggests that the higher speed on

Route 7 does not fully compensate for the greater length.

It is clear that the amount of traffic diverted onto Route 7 from

parallel streets is sensitive to conditions of access. Route 7

was originally tested with access from Sandy Bay Road and

Victoria Road near Wah Fu. Trips originating in between these points will cause severe congestion on Victoria Road. The final

test included an additional access point to Route 7 near Baguio

Villas. This additional convenience resulted in a shift of

16,000 pcus per day from Victoria Road to Route 7 and eliminated

congestion on the former road in the morning peak.

Conclusions

This project particularly illustrates the necessity for joint planning of land use developments and transport facilities. The appropriate capacity and configuration for this section of Route 7 will only be clear when decisions are made

concerning the Green Island Reclamation and port and airport

facilities. Even without these facilities, the substantial

congestion indicated on Pokfulam and Victoria Roads in 1996 is

related to planned population increases

population increases in the area. Joint planning implies that either the road should be advanced or population increases delayed. The complexity of the land use

issues restricts the ability to advance this project, so it has been scheduled for the end of the programme. The question of

access should be reviewed carefully.

Central - Wanchai Bypass and Island Eastern Corridor Link

The Central - Wanchai Bypass is a dual-3 facility on the proposed

Central and Wanchai Reclamation. It would proceed from the

committed Rumsey Street flyover through the proposed Tamar Tunnel

6-33