LCQ11: Kai Tak Sports Park
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Question:
The Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP) is scheduled for completion this year, and its Main Stadium has a seating capacity of up to 50 000. There are views that the arrival and departure of a large number of spectators to and from the KTSP within a short period of time before the start and after the end of large-scale events will pose a challenge to transport in the vicinity, while heavy casualties may even occur if the authorities cannot evacuate the spectators effectively in the event of major incidents during activities in the KTSP. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) whether it has assessed if transport in the area where the KTSP is located can accommodate a people flow as high as 50 000 within a short period of time; if it has, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
(2) whether it has formulated a sound emergency evacuation plan for potential major incidents in the KTSP to ensure the effective evacuation of spectators even under a full house; if it has, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
(3) whether it will, in the light of the two aforesaid scenarios, arrange joint drills and exercises for the relevant government departments and major stakeholders before the commissioning of the KTSP, so as to enhance their collaboration capabilities and ensure full preparedness; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
The Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP) is the largest sports facility in Hong Kong's history. Upon completion, it will provide modern and multi-purpose sports and leisure facilities, including a 50 000-seat Main Stadium, a 10 000-seat Indoor Sports Centre, a 5 000-seat Public Sports Ground and an approximately 14-hectare open space.
The KTSP adopts a "Design, Build and Operate" model, with Kai Tak Sports Park Limited (KTSPL) as the Contractor responsible for the design, construction and future operation of the park.
Regarding the question raised by Dr the Hon Hoey Simon Lee, my consolidated reply, in consultation with the Transport Department (TD), the Hong Kong Police Force and KTSPL is set out as follows:
(1) The KTSP is located at the core of the Kai Tak Development Area with diversified, efficient and convenient transportation facilities. It is in proximity to MTR Kai Tak Station and MTR Sung Wong Toi Station with about 10 minutes' walking distance from both stations. Apart from using the convenient railway network to travel to or from the Sports Park, the public can also take a number of bus routes at nearby bus stops to connect the Sports Park to various districts in Hong Kong, Kowloon and the New Territories. The Sports Park also has supporting facilities such as taxi stands and car park to meet the travelling need of the public in different modes. During the staging of large-scale events, the TD will arrange special bus services to meet the additional demand, depending on the scale of the events and the needs of the participants.
In fact, prior to the tender of the "Design, Build and Operate" contract of the KTSP, the Government had commissioned a consultant to conduct traffic and pedestrian flow assessments. The assessments have taken into account the existing pedestrian facilities and roads development, as well as those under-construction and being planned. Technical assessments on the crowd dispersal of each venue when it was in full capacity was also conducted.
KTSPL will co-ordinate with event organisers and avoid two or more event venues dispersing the crowd at the same time as far as possible in the future. In addition, KTSPL will keep close liaison with event organisers and relevant government departments during the staging of large-scale events in the Sports Park. Relevant parties will make comprehensive preparations and arrangements in terms of crowd flow and traffic management as early as possible, flexibly deploy the manpower resources and formulate contingency measures with a view to ensuring that all event participants arrive and depart from the Sports Park in a safe and orderly manner.
(2) In order to enhance the overall preparedness and resilience of the KTSP, KTSPL is currently formulating a contingency plan with relevant government departments, including conducting comprehensive risk assessment and devising flexible manpower deployment plan in response to different situations. Appropriate contingency measures are also being formulated with a view to ensuring that event participants are able to evacuate in a safe and orderly manner during emergency situations at the KTSP.
(3) At present, KTSPL is liaising closely with relevant government departments to follow up on the work in relation to pre-operation. Upon completion of construction works and repair works as well as checking of all statutory acceptance, the Contractor will test the operation of the equipment as well as arrange various test events of the venues. The overall planning and co-ordination capabilities of crowd management and emergency response etc, will be tested so as to enhance the effectiveness of emergency response and adjust the strategies in a timely manner. Upon satisfactory completion of the trials and smooth delivery of various test results, the KTSP will be commissioned in the first half of 2025.
Ends/Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Issued at HKT 12:30
Issued at HKT 12:30
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