Expert Panel Report affirms the need for Central-Wan Chai Bypass

    The Government is pleased to note that the report prepared by the Expert Panel for Sustainable Transport planning and Central-Wan Chai Bypass (CWB) has affirmed the transport need for the CWB and its two planned slip roads to improve the reliability of the road network as well as tackling the deteriorating traffic conditions in the area.

       The Sub-committee on Wan Chai Development Phase II Review (Sub-committee) of the Harbour-front Enhancement Committee considered the Expert Panel Report at its meeting today.

"The CWB is the missing link of the planned strategic road on the northern shore of Hong Kong Island, between the Rumsey Street Flyover and the Island Eastern Corridor. When completed, vehicles can travel from Chai Wan in the East all the way to the Hong Kong International Airport at Chek Lap Kok and the North West New Territories without having to use the Connaught Road Central/ Harcourt Road / Gloucester Road Corridor.  There is an essential transport need to build the bypass as the existing transport infrastructure cannot meet the current and future traffic demand," a Government spokesman said today (October 26).

In the Report, the Expert Panel gives support for the two planned slip roads at the Convention and Exhibition Centre area and at Victoria Park Road/Gloucester Road/Hing Fat Street to magnify the benefits of the CWB.  It also recognizes the need for Road P2 as an important interim measure to address traffic congestion in the Central reclamation area.

"We note that the Expert Panel's recommendations on a full range of short, medium and long term measures aimed at improving traffic conditions along the east-west corridor on the northern shore of Hong Kong Island," he said.

      On Electronic Road Pricing (ERP), the Expert Panel's view is that without the provision of proper infrastructure, ERP alone cannot serve as a panacea to the traffic problem. This is consistent with the Government's view that ERP can complement, but cannot replace, the CWB.  

     "We are actively considering the feasibility of introducing ERP in Hong Kong.  We will refine our previous traffic models with more up-to-date traffic data, carry out sensitivity tests on various charging scenarios, keep in view the technological developments and make reference to successful experiences in other places.  We will consult the community before we make any decision," the spokesman continued.

While a few members of the Sub-committee expressed concern over the traffic impact of the proposed developments under the Central Reclamation Phase III project¡@including the Tamar redevelopment project, the Government spokesman said that traffic generated by those developments project would constitute a very small percentage of the total traffic flow on the northern shore of Hong Kong Island. As the transport experts had pointed out in their report, the CWB would be needed even if there is zero car growth and no further land development in the Central and Wan Chai.

    "We look forward to seeing the incorporation of the CWB and its planned slip roads into the concept plan at the next stage (Realization Stage) of the Harbour-front Enhancing Review ¡V Wan Chai, Causeway Bay and Adjoining Areas (HER) project to foster sustainable transport planning. We shall continue to address the visual and environmental impacts and social concerns arising from the construction of the CWB.

"The Expert Panel also recommends that land use and transport planning should be planned and managed in a holistic manner. We will consider this recommendation."

      The Sub-committee held an Expert Panel Forum on September 3 this year to provide a platform for transport experts and the public to give their views on the need for the CWB to solve traffic problems along the northern shore of Hong Kong Island.


Ends/Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Issued at HKT 21:07

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