A large-scale traffic survey of the northwest New Territories will be conducted after the commissioning of the West Rail. The surveys will include a review on the operation of a bus-only lane on Tuen Mun Road.

The review is in response to demand for the opening of Siu Lam Interchange during the operating hours of the bus-only lane (from 7am to 9am daily except Sundays and public holidays).

Vehicles on Castle Peak Road are now prohibited from entering the slip-road to Tuen Mun Road eastbound at Siu Lam Interchange during the operation of the bus-only lane.

If the restriction is lifted, a heavy volume of vehicles will be entering the bus-only lane and the operation will be seriously disrupted. There are also road safety concerns.

About 960 bus trips carry over 60,000 passengers who benefit from the bus-only lane scheme each morning.

Study more suitable after West Rail opening

The department said it will be most suitable to conduct surveys after the West Rail opening because the rail will affect the transport and traffic patterns of passengers.

The department conducted 'before' surveys at end-2002 and early this year. The 'after' surveys will start two to three months after the West Rail opening.

The outcome of the review will be available after April. The Tuen Mun and Tsuen Wan District Councils will be consulted after the review.