The thriving National Day Fireworks Display illuminated Victoria Harbour, drawing nearly 350 000 citizens to both shores. The orderly viewing experience was a result of the concerted efforts of the Force and various stakeholders. Two Sergeants from the Traffic Kowloon West Task Force, See Chun-pong and Au Yeung Lun-chung, played pivotal roles in meticulous planning and on-site response respectively, enabling the event to be held smoothly.

See Chun-pong who is responsible for road closure planning for major events pointed out that West Kowloon, as a hub of tourism and culture, hosts numerous events throughout the year from the Victoria Harbour fireworks to marathons and Cyclothon. Each event requires interdepartmental collaboration. Take the National Day fireworks as an example, the preparation spanned six months with the focus on balancing safety of the event and minimising the duration of road closure to reduce the traffic impact on surrounding areas.

“Different stakeholders have varying considerations, with some preferring early road closures to manage crowds. However, public safety remains our priority, alongside the convenience of road users. Repeated consultation is a must to find the best solution,” shared See Chun-pong. For events across areas like the Standard Chartered Marathon, road closure arrangements must be precise. “Colleagues from the regions work closely together. A section of road will be reopened as soon as safety has been confirmed, striving to minimise the impact. We must anticipate various contingencies and be prepared for the bad moments so as to remain composed in emergencies.”

While thorough planning is crucial, on-site execution tests adaptability. Au Yeung Lun-chung who have been attached to traffic for years is well-versed in the West Kowloon road network. However, he still describes the road closure challenge during the fireworks display as significant. “The roads in Tsim Sha Tsui are not only busy commercial and residential areas but also a transport hub of Hong Kong. A misstep in managing a single intersection can trigger a chain reaction, affecting the traffic on Hong Kong Island.”

He emphasised the importance of teamwork, “All intersections must be coordinated closely, and the control of traffic and crowds needs to be seamlessly interrelated. In unexpected situations when crowd tails back or in emergencies and so on, area supervisors must be decisive to coordinate operations across areas and even expand road closures.” The success of each mission relies on the professionalism and dedication of colleagues.

“The team often begins the road closures late at night before the event and can only wrap up after the crowds have dispersed. Regardless of weather conditions, colleagues remain steadfast, striving to optimise dispersal routes so that citizens can have smoother journeys home,” Au Yeung Lun-chung expressed emotionally.

Behind the brilliance of the events capital is the silent support of the Force. The two Sergeants earnestly appealed the citizens to continue supporting the major events in Hong Kong, “Our police colleagues remain committed to ensuring every citizen attends events safely and leave with joy.”