I REFER to the two letters concerning the traffic situation in Fo Tan headlined, 'Improvements long overdue', from Mr D.R. Lightfoot (South China Morning Post, November 30) and 'Chaotic', from Ms Linda H. Lau (Post, December 6).

The traffic congestion on November 27 was caused by an accident in which a heavily-laden container vehicle overturned at the junction of Fo Tan Road and the Tai Po Road southbound slip road. The vehicle completely blocked the access lanes to Fo Tan.

This together with fuel spillage resulted in a difficult and hazardous situation which took five hours to clear.

During this period, the police had to deploy additional resources to direct traffic. Access to Fo Tan was available via Tai Po Road northbound slip road and restricted traffic egress from Fo Tan was maintained.

We are aware of the access and circulation problems in Fo Tan. We have accorded high priority to pursuing alternative access routes to the Fo Tan area and increasing access capacity. However, these proposals have to compete for funding and resources with other public projects undertaken by the Government.

Currently two major Fo Tan access improvement schemes are in the pipeline. A new road would link Lok Sun Path and Ho Tung Lau. Subject to land acquisition and design investigations, the proposal is scheduled to commence construction in 1998 and be complete in 2000.

Additionally, there is a proposal to widen Fo Tan Road to a dual three-lane carriageway. A consultant has been appointed to carry out a feasibility study, to see if the programme can commence construction in 1998 for completion by 2001.

In the interim period, we hope to introduce short-term measures to improve traffic management and vehicular movements in the Fo Tan area.

A.W. ELLIOT for Commissioner for Transport

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tK%2FMqWWcp51krrPAyJyjnmdhaYB5gZZonahlpJa7brPIr5ynZZietKl5z6ugqKqZqcY%3D