The Transport Department (TD) today (September 4) reminded the public that special traffic and transport arrangements will be implemented in Happy Valley during horse race meetings for 2017-18 from this Wednesday (September 6).

     The special traffic and transport arrangements will mainly include:

* From about 1.5 hours before the start of the first race, the section of Wong Nai Chung Road southbound between Queen's Road East and the up ramp outside the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) will be closed (except for vehicles heading for the Aberdeen Tunnel). The section of Wong Nai Chung Road southbound between Village Road and the up ramp outside the HKJC will be re-routed to one-way northbound traffic.

* From about 35 minutes before the start of the last race, the following road sections will be closed to all vehicular traffic until traffic resumes as normal:
- the up ramp on Wong Nai Chung Road leading to the Aberdeen Tunnel outside the HKJC;
- the section of Wong Nai Chung Road southbound between Queen's Road East and the up ramp leading to the Aberdeen Tunnel;
- the section of Wong Nai Chung Road southbound between Village Road and the Public Stands of the HKJC;
- the section of Leighton Road westbound between Wong Nai Chung Road and Canal Road East; and
- the section of Morrison Hill Road southbound between Leighton Road and Queen's Road East.

* During the period of road closure, franchised buses, green minibuses and residents' services will be temporarily diverted until traffic returns to normal.

* Some of the bus stops on Leighton Road, Morrison Hill Road and Wong Nai Chung Road and the tram stop on Wong Nai Chung Road outside the Hong Kong Cemetery will be suspended until traffic resumes as normal. Public transport operators will put up notices at the affected stops to inform passengers of the temporary arrangements.

* The taxi stand on Sung Tak Street will be suspended.

* Parking spaces on Wong Nai Chung Road southbound between Sports Road and Blue Pool Road will be suspended.

     The TD anticipates that the traffic in the vicinity of the affected areas will be very congested during horse race meetings.

     Motorists are advised to avoid driving to the affected areas. In cases of traffic congestion, motorists should exercise tolerance and patience, and follow the instructions of the Police. People planning to go to the affected areas are advised to use public transport as far as possible.

     The TD and the Police will closely monitor the traffic situation and implement appropriate measures whenever necessary. Motorists and the public are advised to be alert to the latest traffic news on radio and television.

     Details of the special traffic and transport arrangements are now available on the department's website (www.td.gov.hk).

Ends/Monday, September 4, 2017
Issued at HKT 17:00

NNNN