Worried after bridge collision, Hong Kong island residents urge better emergency plan in case they get cut off again
Group from Ma Wan urges a better emergency plan after bridge collision
A group of residents living on the island of Ma Wan yesterday expressed concern over the use of Tsuen Wan pier as part of the contingency measures for the closure of a vital bridge link to Lantau, saying the pier's design could not cope with demand in an emergency.
Tsuen Wan pier, about the size of a basketball court, now has a large pontoon with room to park two large ferries.
Under the government's plan, the pier would be tasked with hosting emergency ferry services to Lantau Island in the event that bridges to the island were closed.
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The pier would also offer ferry services to residents of Ma Wan.
"The pier is old and small … It cannot cope with an emergency like what happened on Friday night," said Lam Wai-man, a resident of Ma Wan for a decade.
As a result, Lam and two other residents of the island were calling on the government to expand and upgrade the pier.
When access to Hong Kong International Airport in Chek Lap Kok was cut off during rush hour last Friday after a barge hit Kap Shui Mun Bridge, many Ma Wan residents were ensnared in the ensuing two-hour travel chaos.
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