I refer to the reports ('Safety put on hold for 'deadly' Nathan Road' and 'Danger all way on most accident-prone road in Hong Kong', May 9).
Road safety has always been the Transport Department's prime concern, and finding ways to enhance it throughout Hong Kong is one of our major tasks.
Regarding Nathan Road, we are aware of the situation and have been proactive all along, identifying measures to enhance road safety. The 2005 consultation document put forward safety improvement proposals for public discussion.
Various parties were consulted, including area committees, Yau Tsim Mong District Council traffic and transport committee, and taxi and public light bus operators. Most of those consulted felt there was a need to improve the situation.
However, there were grave concerns about the possible adverse traffic impacts to the neighbourhood streets if the proposals were implemented. Thus, they were not taken forward, but we did not set aside the safety issue.
Over the past few years, other safety improvement measures have been progressively implemented following consultation with the locals. Examples of the more important measures are:
Rearrangement of bus stops at selected locations along Nathan Road to achieve better bus route rationalisation;
