More than two weeks after a sit-in by students inspired by the Occupy Central movement began on some of Hong Kong's major roads and blocking traffic (see story), the city's police have moved in today to dismantle barricades built by protestors on the six-lane Queensway thoroughfare, in front of commercial complex Pacific Place. That has eased traffic congestion caused by pro-democracy demonstrations over the past 17 days, which has added anything from 30 minutes to more than an hour to east-west car journeys in Hong Kong Island's urban area along the northern coastline.
But another major highway closer to the harbour and the government headquarters, Connaught Road Central, remains blocked, driving some of the vehicle flow to Harbour Road in front of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and the Grand Hyatt.
There are also protests in other districts such as Causeway Bay, to the east of Central, and Mongkok, across the harbour in Kowloon.
Despite the latest development, traffic in these areas is still expected to be slower than usual. Visitors in town are advised to make use of the Mass Transit Railway system if they are unsure of the road conditions.
Reggie Ho
