2004-01-21 11:41 Police will implement special crowd management and traffic arrangements to facilitate worshippers visiting Che Kung Temple in Sha Tin during the Che Kung Festival period. "A one-way pedestrian flow system between Tai Wai KCR Station and the Temple will be implemented throughout the New Year peak period to ensure the safety of worshippers, who are advised to be patient when waiting in a queue," a Police spokesman said. Police will ask visitors to leave the temple area immediately after their worship so that a smooth flow can be maintained. Additional traffic arrangements will be in effect from 8 pm on January 23 to meet huge crowds of worshippers expected on January 24. The spokesman said the public carpark adjacent to the temple would temporarily be closed to all vehicles except for those authorised by Police and emergency vehicles between 7 am on January 20 and 8 pm on January 27, and on the two following Saturdays and Sundays. Between 8 pm on January 23 and 6 pm on January 24, taxis will not be allowed to enter Chui Tin Street. Taxi passengers should only alight in a designated area on Sha Tin Tau Road at its junction with Che Kung Miu Road. The U-shape road outside the East KCRC Extension Project Che Kung Station site will be closed and passengers of all private cars and taxis will be advised to set off on Tsuen Nam Road. "Appropriate signs will be set up to guide taxi drivers," the spokesman said. Meanwhile, public light buses and private cars arriving from the westbound carriageway of Che Kung Miu Road will be directed into Sha Tin Tau Road and permitted to drop off passengers at its junction with Che Kung Miu Road. The slow lane of westbound carriageway of Che Kung Miu Road between Sha Tin Tau Road and Chui Tin Street will be closed and used only for emergency vehicles from 8 pm on January 23 to 6 pm on January 24. Vehicles travelling along eastbound carriageway of Che Kung Miu Road are not allowed to turn right into Sha Tin Tau Road, except for buses, green mini-buses and emergency vehicles. The slow lane of the southbound carriageway of Chui Tin Street between Che Kung Miu Road and the entrance of San Tin Village will be closed for emergency vehicles only. The spokesman also stressed that parking would not be permitted along Sha Tin Tau Road, Chui Tin Street and a section of Che Kung Miu Road between Lion Rock Tunnel Road and Hung Mui Kuk Road. Strict enforcement action, including towing without warning, will be taken against vehicles that are illegally parked. Worshippers are advised to make use of public transport as far as possible. |