Happy Valley Implements Special Traffic Arrangements for Race Day Crowds Today

Special traffic arrangements for race meeting in Happy Valley

Special traffic arrangements will be implemented in Happy Valley today (October 30). The arrangements will last until the crowds have dispersed after the race meeting.

A. Traffic arrangements before the commencement of the first race

The following road closure and traffic diversions will be implemented from 50 minutes before the start of the first race for day racing, or from 6pm onwards for night racing:

1. Road closure

Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Queen’s Road East and the up-ramp outside the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) will be closed, except for vehicles heading for Aberdeen Tunnel.

2. Traffic diversions

- Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Village Road and the up-ramp outside the HKJC will be re-routed one way northbound;

- Traffic along eastbound Queen's Road East heading for Wan Chai and Happy Valley will be diverted to turn left to Morrison Hill Road;

- Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road;

- Traffic along Queen's Road East cannot turn right to Wong Nai Chung Road, except for vehicles heading for Aberdeen Tunnel;

- Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Queen's Road East will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Morrison Hill Road to turn right at the junction of Wong Nai Chung Road and Queen's Road East; and

- Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Happy Valley or Racecourse will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, southbound Morrison Hill Road, Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road.

B. Traffic arrangements before the conclusion of race meeting

The following road closure and traffic diversions will be implemented from about 35 minutes before the start of the last race:

1. Road closure

- The up-ramp on Wong Nai Chung Road outside the HKJC leading to Aberdeen Tunnel;

- Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Queen's Road East and the up-ramp leading to Aberdeen Tunnel;

- Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Village Road and the Public Stands of the HKJC;

- Westbound Leighton Road between Wong Nai Chung Road and Canal Road East; and

- Southbound Morrison Hill Road between Leighton Road and Queen's Road East.

In addition, southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between the up-ramp leading to Aberdeen Tunnel and the Public Stands of the HKJC will be closed from about 10 minutes before the start of the last race.

2. Traffic diversions

- Eastbound Queen's Road East at its junction with Morrison Hill Road will be reduced to one-lane traffic heading for northbound Canal Road flyover;

- Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Wan Chai will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, U-turn slip road beneath Canal Road flyover, Canal Road West and Hennessy Road;

- Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, eastbound Leighton Road and Wong Nai Chung Road;

- Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road will be diverted to turn left to eastbound Leighton Road;

- Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via eastbound Leighton Road and Wong Nai Chung Road; and

- Traffic along westbound Leighton Road will be diverted to Wong Nai Chung Road.

C. Learner drivers prohibition

Learner drivers will be prohibited to turn left from Caroline Hill Road to Leighton Road between one and a half hours before the start of the first race and one hour after the last race. In addition, learner drivers will be prohibited from accessing the following roads within the above period of time:

- Shan Kwong Road between Yik Yam Street and Wong Nai Chung Road;

- Village Road between its upper and lower junctions with Shan Kwong Road;

- Percival Street between Hennessy Road and Leighton Road;

- Canal Road East; and

- The service road leading from Gloucester Road to Canal Road flyover.

D. Suspension of parking spaces

Parking spaces on southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Sports Road and Blue Pool Road will be suspended from 11am to 7pm for day racing, and from 5pm to 11.59pm for night racing respectively.

All vehicles parked illegally during the implementation of the above special traffic arrangements will be towed away without prior warning, and may be subject to multiple ticketing.

Actual implementation of road closure and traffic diversion will be made by the Police at the time depending on traffic conditions in the areas. Motorists should exercise tolerance and patience, and follow the instructions of Police on site.

Speech by FS at Cathay Pacific Airways Cocktail Reception in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (with photo/video)

Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the Cathay Pacific Airways Cocktail Reception in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia today (October 29, Riyadh time):

Lavinia (Chief Customer and Commercial Officer of Cathay Pacific, Ms Lavinia Lau), ladies and gentlemen,

Good evening. I am delighted to be here, with you, tonight, just one day after the exhilarating inaugural flight of Cathay Pacific's relaunched Hong Kong to Riyadh service.

For that, for reconnecting Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia through this vital new route, and the huge potential it brings, I am grateful to Cathay Pacific. Your dedication to excellence in service is internationally recognised. And this flight resumption is a clear testament to Cathay's commitment to Hong Kong and our strategic development.

I can tell you that the high-powered delegation I've brought with me to Riyadh is equally exciting. They count more than 100 Hong Kong financial, business and entrepreneurial leaders, eager to connect with Saudi business. With you.

During our three-day stay here in Riyadh, we're meeting with business, finance and technology companies, with investors and government leaders, too. Our goal is clear: to expand ties with Saudi Arabia, building friendship and exploring the many mutually beneficial collaboration opportunities this renewed connection will surely create.

The new service, in short, marks a new chapter for the ever-growing ties between our two cities, our two regions.

It helps, and enormously, that Hong Kong is the global gateway to China. We are also part of China's "Air Silk Road" initiative, seeking to enhance connectivity, economic and trade cooperation, as well as cultural exchange with countries and regions along the Belt and Road.

Saudi Arabia sits at the crossroad between three continents. The resumption of flights underlines the strategic importance of the country's location, and will boost economic, cultural, business and people-to-people ties between Saudi Arabia and China, Hong Kong included; and all the more so, between the East and West.

With this reinstated service, I know the people of Hong Kong would be eager to dive into all sorts of adventures around different Saudi cities, your timeless culture, deserts, World Heritage sites and so much more. And, yes, Hong Kong also looks forward to welcoming you to Asia's world city, the East meets West centre of international cultural exchange. And good times, too.

Ladies and gentlemen, please join me now in a toast: to Cathay Pacific, to the continuing growth of Hong Kong-Saudi ties and to the promising future that awaits our two economies and peoples.

I know you will enjoy this very special evening.

Thank you.

Speech by FS at Cathay Pacific Airways Cocktail Reception in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (with photo/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases