District councilor worries anti-ram bollard plan could squeeze crowds in Causeway Bay

A Wan Chai district councilor has raised concerns that a proposed line of anti-ram bollards outside Causeway Bay’s SOGO department store could affect pedestrian access during peak periods, calling on the government to provide detailed crowd-flow data to justify the plan.

Peggy Lee Pik-yee said the area is already heavily used on normal days and becomes especially congested during public holidays or major events at Victoria Park, such as the annual Brands and Products Expo.

She said she hopes the authorities can provide figures on expected crowd levels and police deployment during large-scale events to help assess whether the scale of the proposed installation is appropriate.

The government has submitted documents to the Wan Chai District Council proposing the installation of about 60 vehicle-resistant bollards outside SOGO and along parts of Paterson Street, which is designated as a pedestrian-only zone throughout the day. The proposal aims to prevent what officials described as deliberate vehicle attacks on crowds.

Lee said vehicles had previously mounted the pavement outside SOGO, and she regularly receives complaints from drivers who mistakenly enter pedestrianized areas.

Although the district council has not formally discussed the issue in the past, she said officials have held informal discussions with departments after accidents to explore whether bollards could improve safety. She believes the latest proposal is intended to protect pedestrians and expects it to be a key topic at next week’s district council meeting.

She also questioned whether the number and density of bollards shown in the preliminary drawings were necessary, noting that the installation area appeared extensive. Lee said it was unclear whether the government had fully assessed underground utilities, as many public services run beneath the streets in the area.

According to the council paper, the project would involve 17 retractable bollards and 43 fixed ones. Asked whether all bollards could be made retractable, Lee said the cost would likely be too high. She suggested fixed bollards be installed in no-parking zones, while retractable ones could be used in areas where loading and unloading are allowed.

The project is expected to cost about HK$5 million, with completion targeted for the fourth quarter of 2026. Lee said past district works have often faced unnecessary delays and urged the government to ensure the project stays on schedule.