A protest staged by around 60 Lantau Island villagers yesterday stopped buses carrying worshippers to Ngong Ping — where the Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery are situated — flocking to the site prior to the Buddha’s upcoming birthday.
The protest, which started at around 11am, caused a traffic jam that snaked down Keung Shan Road for about five kilometres and lasted over two hours, resulting in many passengers disembarking buses to hike up the mountain.
Apple Daily reports that the protesters, who hailed from Tai O, Sha Lo Wan, and Shek Tsai Po, were demonstrating against the government going back on promises to widen roads on the island while allowing private cars on formerly restricted roads.
South Lantau roads which were previously only accessible to vehicles with special permits were opened by the Transport Department in February. A total of 25 private cars per weekday are now allowed to drive along these roads in a bid to attract more local tourism.
Resident representative for Sha Lo Wan, Li Sau-mui, said opening narrow, winding roads to the public would create dangerous traffic conditions.
Speaking to Apple Daily, she pointed out that Lantau roads have a speed limit of 30 to 50 kilometres per hour, while the influx of visiting drivers unfamiliar with local roads would worsen traffic jams, especially on holidays when “pedestrians, vehicles, and cattle will fight for the road”.
Li also referred to the 1973 tragedy in which a 36-seater bus fell off Keung Shan Road, killing 17 and injuring 23: “We support development, but the government should also fix pre-existing problems.”
The traffic jam, which was also exacerbated by nearby slope works, reportedly did not start moving again until after 1pm. SCMP reports that even by the late afternoon, Keung Shan Road was still operating on a “one lane, two-way traffic” system.
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