When a proposed fireworks display threatens to inconvenience thousands of commuters and put lives of many spectators in danger, the organisers must think twice. The original plan called for major sections of Castle Peak Road and Tuen Mun highway to be closed for up to four hours during the display next month to celebrate the opening of the Lantau Link. The plan was a non-starter because it would cause suffering to residents in the northwest New Territories.
A revised plan, which followed a chorus of protest from angry Yuen Long and Tuen Mun residents, would close sections of Castle Peak Road and some lanes of the Tuen Mun highway to make way for the throngs of spectators. Judging from a recent fireworks display in the area, it would not be unreasonable to expect that a crowd of 300,000 would want to watch the Lantau bridge spectacular. Despite a deployment of hundreds, perhaps thousands, of police, it would seem impossible to stop people from spreading over the highway and risk being hit by passing vehicles.
Scrapping the celebrations for the opening of the Tsing Ma bridge - one of the world's longest suspension bridges - would be a shame. But why are officials baulking at suggestions to move to the usual venue in Victoria Harbour? When people's lives are at risk, officials should swallow their hubris.