Press Release - 3 September 2014
Today, Designing Hong Kong celebrates the re-opening of the crossing at Salisbury Road at Tsim Sha Tsui. This allows people to cross at grade from Nathan Road to the waterfront promenade and the Cultural Centre.
Designing Hong Kong has been advocating the restoration of this crossing since its report “Designing Hong Kong Harbour District” in 2004. Markus Shaw, Director of Designing Hong Kong, described the situation in 2010: “Anyone who has tried to cross Salisbury Road in Kowloon will understand: Pedestrians are treated like rodents, herded into underground warren-passageways.”
In a survey in 2011, 77% of the respondents indicated they prefer a direct crossing at street level at Salisbury Road. The survey findings were presented as part of a walkability study to the Harbourfront Commission in July 2012.
Paul Zimmerman, CEO of Designing Hong Kong explained: ‘We thank Transport Department for addressing the public aspirations and giving priority to pedestrians. The restoration of the crossing will significantly improve the walkability in Tsim Sha Tsui. It will make it easier for local and international visitors to find their way. It makes the popular waterfront promenade and cultural facilities more accessible.’
In 2013, Designing Hong Kong with the support from Community for Road Safety started a ‘Missing Links’ campaign. Over 159 reports of substandard and missing pavements and crossing have been reported by the public. The team has reviewed the complaints and submitted 128 reports for improving walkability to the government and district councils in July 2014. The Transport Department is actively studying all the reports.
‘We are all pedestrians. Together we can make Hong Kong, not just Tsim Sha Tsui, more pedestrian friendly and safe,’ concluded Paul Zimmerman.
Please click here for a drawing of the crossing.
Chronology of Salisbury Road Crossing
2004 - Crossing removed by Transport Department.
2005 - Harbour Business Forum wrote to the Secretary of Housing, Planning and Lands to request re-instatement of the at-grade crossing.
February 2011 - Designing Hong Kong survey on walkability in Tsim Sha Tsui. 77% of over 600 people surveyed prefer a direct crossing at grade at Salisbury Road.
July 2012 - Designing Hong Kong and Civic Exchangepresented their views on walkability, including the missing crossing at Salisbury Road, to the Harbourfront Commission.
September 2012 - The Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB) proposed an agenda item at Yau Tsim Mong District Council: ‘Request for Better Underground Passage Connection between Tsim Sha Tsui East and Hong Kong Cultural Centre’.
March 2013 - Avenue of Stars Management Limited presented plans and consultancy study findings on crossing improvements and traffic impacts at the Yau Tsim Mong District Council.
April 2013 - Video ‘Lost in TST’ released on Youtube, highlighting the issue of the lack of crossing.
July 2013 - Transport Department circulated plan to restore crossing at Yau Tsim Mong District Council.
September 2014 - Crossing re-opened at Salisbury Road
http://www.missinglinks.hk/press-release-260323286231295/-201493press-release-3-september-2014-missing-links-campaign-crossing-at-salisbury-road-re-opened
