Road Closures Planned for Hong Kong Cyclothon on October 11; Public Transport to be Affected

Special traffic and transport arrangements for Hong Kong Cyclothon on October 11

The Transport Department (TD) today (October 6) reminded members of the public and visitors that temporary road closures will be implemented in phases on various road sections in New Territories South, Kowloon West, the West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD) and the Central Kowloon Bypass (Yau Ma Tei Section) from 1am on Sunday (October 11) to facilitate the Hong Kong Cyclothon.

The Transport Department, Photo source: reference image

Affected road sections to reopen in phases by around 1.15pm

The three major events of the Cyclothon (namely two rides and one road race) will start and finish on Museum Drive in the WKCD. The major road sections covered include Nga Cheung Road, West Kowloon Highway, Cheung Tsing Tunnel, Tsing Ma Bridge, Ting Kau Bridge, Nam Wan Tunnel, Stonecutters Bridge, Eagle's Nest Tunnel, Sha Tin Heights Tunnel and the Central Kowloon Bypass (Yau Ma Tei Section). Subject to the arrangements and progress of the events, the above road sections will be reopened in phases by around 1.15pm.

Public transport arrangements

During road closures, 120 franchised bus routes (comprising 33 Citybus routes, 32 KMB routes, 28 cross-harbour bus routes and 27 Long Win Bus routes) and seven green minibus (GMB) routes will be affected and subject to diversion, truncation or relocation of stops in phases until the reopening of roads. Taxi stands (including taxi pick-up/drop-off points), fleet taxi stopping places, private carparks and roadside parking spaces within the closed roads will also be suspended.

Traffic arrangements

The above road closure arrangements will not affect vehicles from Hong Kong Island, Kowloon or the New Territories East heading for the airport and Lantau Island. Due to the closure of Ting Kau Bridge (Kowloon bound), motorists travelling from the New Territories West to the airport and Lantau Island via Tuen Mun Road or the Tai Lam Tunnel will be diverted via Tsuen Wan Road, the Tsuen Tsing Interchange, Tsing Tsuen Road, Tsing Tsuen Bridge, the Tam Kon Shan Interchange and Tsing Yi North Coastal Road heading for Tsing Ma Bridge.

Both directions of the Western Harbour Crossing will remain in normal operation. Due to the closure of West Kowloon Highway (Western Harbour Crossing bound), motorists travelling from the New Territories West or Kowloon West to Hong Kong Island will be diverted via the slip road of Lin Cheung Road (northbound) near the Civil Aid Service Headquarters heading for the Western Harbour Crossing.

Of note, the Central Kowloon Bypass (Yau Ma Tei Section) will be affected by the events for the first time:

• The Kowloon Bay bound tube will be temporarily closed from 2am on that day. Vehicles from the New Territories West to Kowloon East will be diverted via Ching Cheung Road and Lung Cheung Road, while vehicles from Kowloon West via Lin Cheung Road to Kowloon East will be diverted via Lai Cheung Road, Gascoigne Road flyover, Chatham Road North and East Kowloon Corridor heading for Kai Tak Tunnel;

• The Yau Ma Tei bound tube will also be temporarily closed from 7am on that day. Vehicles from Kowloon East to Kowloon West or the New Territories West will be diverted via Kai Tak Tunnel, East Kowloon Corridor, Chatham Road North and Gascoigne Road flyover heading for Ferry Street or the West Kowloon Corridor; and

• Both bounds will be reopened at around 1.15pm.

Roads in the WKCD will be temporarily closed from 1am on that day. Bus stops, GMB stops, taxi stands (including taxi pick-up/drop-off points), fleet taxi stopping places and private carparks within the WKCD will be suspended until the roads reopen at around 1.15pm. Members of the public heading for the WKCD are advised to use public transport services in the vicinity (such as railway, franchised bus, GMB and "water taxi" "Central - West Kowloon" route services).

Avoid driving to affected areas

The TD appeals to the public to pay attention to the temporary road closures and public transport service adjustments on that day. Due to extensive road closures, the TD anticipates that Kowloon bound traffic on the Lantau Link, Kowloon bound traffic on Tsuen Wan Road, Kowloon Station bound traffic on Jordan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui bound traffic on Ferry Street, Jordan bound traffic on Hoi Wang Road, Lin Cheung Road, Gascoigne Road flyover, East Kowloon Corridor, Kai Tak Tunnel, Lung Cheung Road and Ching Cheung Road will be more significantly congested compared to past Sundays. Motorists are advised to avoid driving to the affected areas and, in case of traffic congestion, exercise patience, drive with care and follow the instructions of the Police on-site.

Plan journeys early

Members of the public and visitors should plan their journeys early to avoid delays, use public transport services (particularly railways) as far as possible and pay attention to the temporary route diversion and relocation of stops. Those heading for the WKCD, Kowloon Station of the Airport Express or Hong Kong West Kowloon Station of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link are advised to plan their journeys early to avoid any delays caused by road closures and traffic diversion.

The TD and the Police will closely monitor the traffic situation. Other temporary road and traffic control measures, including adjusting the extent of road closures and alteration or suspension of public transport services, may be implemented by the Police at short notice depending on the actual traffic conditions. Members of the public and visitors should heed the latest traffic news via the TD's website (www.td.gov.hk), HKeMobility mobile app and radio and TV broadcasts, or relevant public transport operators' websites or mobile apps for details of service adjustments.

Hong Kong Cyclothon, Photo source: official website of HKTB

Hong Kong Customs detects drug trafficking case involving incoming passenger at airport

Hong Kong Customs detected a drug trafficking case involving a passenger at Hong Kong International Airport today (October 6) and seized about 5.5 kilograms of suspected cocaine and 45 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with a total estimated market value of about $4.1 million. A man was arrested.

A 24-year-old Mainland male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Manila, the Philippines. During Customs clearance, Customs officers found the batch of suspected cocaine and 45 duty-not-paid cigarettes inside his carry-on baggage. He was subsequently arrested.

An investigation is ongoing.

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.

Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO), cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account(crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs detected a drug trafficking case involving a passenger at Hong Kong International Airport today (October 6) and seized about 5.5 kilograms of suspected cocaine and 45 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with a total estimated market value of about $4.1 million. Photo shows the suspected cocaine and duty-not-paid cigarettes seized. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases