Amendment Regulations on streamlining of permit applications for cross-boundary vehicles gazetted
The Road Traffic (Registration and Licensing of Vehicles) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulation 2025, the Road Traffic (Registration and Licensing of Vehicles) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulation 2025, the Road Traffic (Registration and Licensing of Vehicles) (Amendment) (No. 5) Regulation 2025 and the Road Traffic (Traffic Control) (Amendment) Regulation 2025 (collectively the Amendment Regulations) were gazetted today (July 18). The Amendment Regulations seek to provide greater convenience for cross-boundary vehicles by streamlining the arrangements of Closed Road Permits (CRP) and International Circulation Permits (ICP).
A spokesperson for the Transport and Logistics Bureau said, “With the increasingly frequent traffic flow among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, the Government has been proactively enhancing the relevant licensing services of the Transport Department in order to assist drivers and more effectively respond to the growing demand for cross-boundary travel. The Amendment Regulations will streamline the application procedures and requirements, and are expected to reduce and simplify the procedures for applicants/permit holders of the regular quota schemes, Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles and the recently announced Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles schemes, bringing them greater convenience.”
The major proposed amendments in the Amendment Regulations include:
(1) CRP: extending the maximum validity period of CRP from 12 months to 60 months for cross-boundary vehicles, and adjusting the fee levels for CRP to cost-recovery levels; and exempting vehicles participating in designated cross-boundary driving schemes that meet the specified requirements from applying for a CRP based on risk control consideration. As the CRP will either be exempted or with its validity extended, the CRP fees payable by users will generally be reduced; and
(2) ICP: introducing electronic ICPs (e-ICP) with a streamlined application and collection process, allowing applicants to submit applications and supporting documents online, and to collect e-ICP with self-printing.
The Government consulted the Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Transport on the above streamlining arrangements for CRP and ICP respectively, and received general support from the Members. The Amendment Regulations will be tabled at the LegCo on July 23 for negative vetting. Subject to scrutiny by the LegCo, the exemption arrangement for CRP and the streamlining measures for ICP under the Amendment Regulations will be effective on October 1 this year; and the arrangements for extension of CRP validity period and fees adjustment will be effective on January 1, 2026. The Transport Department will continue to enhance different cross-boundary transport measures, providing a better travel experience for Hong Kong citizens and cross-boundary travellers.
Source: AI-found images
Draft Tsuen Wan Outline Zoning Plan approved
The Chief Executive in Council has approved the draft Tsuen Wan Outline Zoning Plan (OZP).
“The approved OZP provides a statutory land use planning framework to guide the development and redevelopment within the Tsuen Wan area”, a spokesman for the Town Planning Board said today (July 18).
The planning scheme area, covering about 743.48 hectares, includes Tsuen Wan Valley and its adjoining areas and forms part of the Tsuen Wan New Town. The area extends from Wo Yi Hop Road in the east to Yau Kom Tau in the west.
The approved OZP has incorporated amendments shown on the draft Tsuen Wan OZP No. S/TW/38, which mainly involve (i) rezoning a site at the junction of Wing Shun Street and Texaco Road from “Government, Institution or Community (9)” to “Residential (Group A) 22” for private residential development; and (ii) rezoning a site at the junction of Ma Tau Pa Road and Texaco Road from “Comprehensive Development Area (1)” to “Commercial (7)” to facilitate redevelopment of the existing industrial buildings for commercial uses.
The Notes and Explanatory Statement of the OZP have been amended to reflect the above amendments. Opportunity is also taken to update the general information of various land use zonings and the planning circumstances, where appropriate.
The approved Tsuen Wan OZP No. S/TW/39 is available for public inspection during office hours at (i) the Secretariat of the Town Planning Board, (ii) the Planning Enquiry Counters, (iii) the Tsuen Wan and West Kowloon District Planning Office, (iv)the Tsuen Wan District Office and (v) the Tsuen Wan Rural Committee.
Copies of the approved OZP are available for sale at the Map Publications Centre in North Point. The electronic version of the OZP can be viewed at the Town Planning Board’s website (www.tpb.gov.hk).
Source: AI-found images
