The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government spokesman has responded to issues related to Sai Kung’s High Island Reservoir East Dam (the East Dam) is as follows:
Currently, the Sai Kung Man Yee Road leading to the East Dam is a maintenance access road, primarily used for daily operations and maintenance purposes by the Water Supplies Department (WSD) and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD). Most sections of the road are single lane with two-way traffic.
The Government has noticed the significant increase in the number of visitors accessing the East Dam during recent weekends and the Ching Ming Festival holiday. Related to this, a large number of visitors took taxis to the East Dam in the morning, causing severe traffic congestion on Sai Kung Man Yee Road which resulted in a substantial extension of the travel time for Green Minibus (GMB) Route No. 9A, which runs from Pak Tam Chung to the East Dam. At present, GMB Route No. 9A (Pak Tam Chung – the East Dam) provides services on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. The service hours of its departures from Pak Tam Chung and the East Dam are between 9:30 am and 6:40 pm, and between 10:00 am and 7:00 pm respectively with a frequency of 15 to 20 minutes.
As more visitors visiting the area around the East Dam are anticipated during the Labour Day Golden Week of the Mainland (1 to 5 May), the Transport Department (TD), the WSD, the AFCD, the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) and the Tourism Commission (TC) will adopt the following series of enhancement measures:
- with the co-ordination between the TD and the relevant operator, the service of GMB Route No. 9A will be strengthened subject to passenger demand to satisfy their needs. Furthermore, the operator will extend the service to the weekday during the Golden Week (i.e. 2 May) on a trial basis to accommodate visitors visiting the area around the East Dam.
- The TD will install a sign for GMB service stand at the East Dam and the GMB operator will also change the passenger queuing direction (i.e. change from the current direction towards Pak Tam Chung to Long Ke). The AFCD will add a temporary railing at the GMB service stand to enhance the queuing arrangement for passengers.
- Depending on the traffic conditions on the roads leading to area around the East Dam, the TD will make an announcement through various channels in case the road section concerned is heavily trafficked to advise members of the public to plan ahead for their journeys.
- The TD will set up a message sign at a suitable location prior to the AFCD’s Pak Tam Chung Barrier to remind visitors of traffic conditions on the roads leading to the area around the East Dam.
- The WSD has arranged for contractors to carry out temporary improvement works at some locations on Sai Kung Man Yee Road to facilitate the manoeuvring of two-way traffic in a single lane road. The improvement works have been substantially completed.
- The AFCD will strengthen the management of the country park area surrounding the East Dam. This includes deploying additional personnel to patrol the region, reminding visitors to observe hiking safety protocols and use the designated hiking trails; and promoting messages which emphasise the importance of environment protection and proper disposal of refuse. The AFCD will also monitor the needs of country park visitors and enhance cleaning services as deemed necessary.
- The AFCD, in collaboration with the TC and the Hong Kong Tourism Board, will enhance the promotion of other hiking trails within Hong Kong’s country parks and disseminate relevant hiking guidelines to tourists; and encourage tourists to plan their trips according to the latest traffic information for better preparation for their trips.
- The HKPF will implement targeted measures in the area of the East Dam. These measures include deploying uniformed officers to direct traffic in strategic areas on Sai Kung Man Yee Road amid the peak of visitors’ arrivals and departures as well as assisting to facilitate the pedestrian flow. At the same time, corresponding publicity and enforcement actions will be taken based on operational priorities to further combat any taxi drivers’ illegal acts.
The relevant departments will continue to properly deploy and enhance the supporting facilities and measures in the area around the East Dam, making it more convenient for visitors.
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