Longer crossing hours studied

The Security Bureau may discuss extending the service hours of Shenzhen Bay Port and Heung Yuen Wai control point with mainland authorities amid surging demand, lawmakers were told.

A Security Bureau document submitted to the Subcommittee on Matters Relating to the Development of the Northern Metropolis yesterday said it may discuss extending operating hours of passenger and private car clearance services at the Shenzhen Bay Port "when necessary to further facilitate the flow of people between the two sides."

Passengers and private cars can cross Shenzhen Bay boundary from 6.30am to midnight at present, with 24-hour cargo clearance. About 60,000 passengers a day crossed the boundary in June.

The community has called for extension of operating hours at the Heung Yuen Wai control point, which is now open for passenger and cargo clearances from 7am to 10pm daily.

"In view of the increasing usage of the boundary control point, the Hong Kong government will continue to closely monitor the clearance situation and actively follow up on whether it is necessary to extend the operating hours of the port, including initiating discussion with relevant Shenzhen counterparts," the paper read.

At the Sha Tau Kok control point, which is under redevelopment, the SAR and Shenzhen governments are exploring a joint clearance mode in which counters for both are set up side by side at the boundary line and visitors only need to queue once to have their documents inspected.

The Civil Engineering and Development Department commissioned an engineering feasibility study for the redevelopment in the first quarter of this year related to road infrastructure, public transport, land requirement, area of the control point, land ownership, environmental assessment and heritage conservation, the bureau added.

The redeveloped Huanggang Port, which is expected to be completed in 2025, will be the first land control point between Guangdong and Hong Kong to have the collaborative inspection and joint clearance mode, further enhancing passenger clearance efficiency.

Meanwhile, the SAR and Shenzhen governments have been pursuing the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Rail Link (Hung Shui Kiu - Qianhai) project.

The bureau is taking part in the second-stage study on the planning, preliminary engineering feasibility, benefits and environmental impact as well as construction and operation arrangements, which are expected to be completed in mid-2024.

"When enhancing existing boundary control points or planning new ports, our aim is to adopt co-location arrangements and to explore an efficient and innovative clearance mode with the Shenzhen municipal government, including the use of the joint mode, to enhance efficiency of immigration clearance," it said.

stacy.shi@singtaonewscorp.com