Lam Kam Road

Lam Kam Road
林錦公路
A flat section of Lam Kam Road in Lam Tsuen Valley
Interactive map of Lam Kam Road
Length5.7 km (3.5 mi)
Restrictions50 (speed limit)
LocationNew Territories
East endLam Tsuen (Tai Po) interchange with Fanling Highway / Tolo Highway / Tai Wo Service Road West / Tai Po Road – Tai Wo Section
West endKam Tin roundabout with Kam Tin Road / Tsuen Kam Road
Construction
Inauguration29 September 1978 (naming date)

Lam Kam Road (Chinese: 林錦公路; pinyin: Línjǐn Gōnglù) is a road in Hong Kong's New Territories connecting Lam Tsuen in Tai Po District with Kam Tin in Yuen Long District. The road is 5.7 kilometres (3.5 mi) long.

Lam Kam Road starts at the Lam Kam Road interchange on Route 9 (Fanling Highway and Tolo Highway), passes through Tai To Yan, and ends at the roundabout in Sheung Tsuen connecting Kam Tin Road and Tsuen Kam Road. The entire route is an undivided two-lane road. To traverse the mountainous section between Tai To Yan and Kwun Yam Shan, the road features two steep gradients known locally as "long life slopes": a 1:8 section between Tsuen Kam Road and Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, and a 1:10 section between Kadoorie Farm and Ng Tung Chai. The eastern portion through Lam Tsuen Valley is mostly flat.

Originally a major route between Yuen Long and Tai Po districts, its importance declined significantly after the completion of the New Territories Circular Road (now part of Route 9) in the 1990s. Today, traffic mainly consists of vehicles accessing nearby villages and attractions. Lam Kam Road is one of the roads accessible to New Territories taxis.[1] Vehicles longer than 11 metres are prohibited except those with special permits.

History

In the 1950s, the British Hong Kong garrison constructed Lam Kam Road, Fan Kam Road, Hou Wan Road (now part of Ping Ha Road), and Tsuen Kam Road to improve transport links in the New Territories for military purposes.[2] Construction began on 15 July 1949,[3] and the road opened to traffic on 28 July 1950.[4]

Initially restricted to military and emergency vehicles,[4] civilian vehicles without permits were prohibited and occasionally intercepted by the Royal Hong Kong Police Force.[5] After persistent requests from local residents,[6] the colonial government fully opened the road to the public on 9 March 1952.[7]

Public transport did not serve the road until 1 April 1953, when the first generation of KMB Route 23 (now 64K) began operations—the only bus route to traverse the entire road to date.[8] The western terminus was originally at Fan Kam Road until 29 September 1978, when that section was incorporated into Kam Tin Road and the current western end at Tsuen Kam Road was established.[9]

In 1988, to support development in Kam Tin and Pat Heung, the government announced widening works for Lam Kam Road and sought over HK$60 million from the Legislative Council Finance Committee.[10][11] The section from Hong Lok Yuen to Kadoorie Farm was completed in 1994, widening the carriageway from about 5.5 m to 7.3 m to current highway standards and adding a 600 m climbing lane on the steep section between Pak Ngau Shek and Kadoorie Farm.[12]

Route

Lam Kam Road runs roughly northeast–southwest between Ng Tung Chai and Lam Tsuen Valley, and east–west near Ling Wan Monastery. It is about 5.7 km long, starting at the Lam Kam Road interchange, passing through Lam Tsuen Valley and Ng Tung Chai, climbing the 1:10 long life slope to Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, descending the 1:8 slope past Ling Wan Monastery, and ending at the roundabout with Tsuen Kam Road and Kam Tin Road.[13]

Junctions

The road lies within Tai Po District and Yuen Long District, with Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden as the approximate boundary.[14] Minor unnamed roads are omitted.

Distance (km) Destination Notes
0.0 Lam Kam Road interchange: Route 9 to Tolo Highway & Fanling Highway, Tai Wo Service Road West, Tai Po Road – Tai Wo Section Roundabout. Route 9 A direction (clockwise) to Tolo Highway; B direction (counter-clockwise) to Fanling Highway.
0.16 Hang Ha Lei
0.45–0.6 Lam Tsuen Rural Committee Road
1.2 She Shan Road
2.3 Tai Um Road
2.7 Tai Po Shui Wo Road
3.0 Chai Nga Road
3.4 Ng Tung Chai Road Roundabout
5.7 Tsuen Kam Road / Kam Tin Road Roundabout

Present status

Annual average daily traffic

The following 2021 annual average daily traffic (AADT) figures are classified as "Rural Road" by the Transport Department.[15]

Section AADT (vehicles/day) Estimated
Lam Kam Road interchange to Kadoorie Farm 21,060 No
Kadoorie Farm to Kam Tin Road 20,420 Yes

Vehicle length restrictions

Since 15 December 1987, vehicles longer than 11 metres have been prohibited except with permits due to road conditions.[16] This restriction prevents many coaches serving Kadoorie Farm from using the road without permits, leading to occasional prosecutions and industry complaints.[17] It also prevents larger buses on KMB Route 64K, though the route is near capacity. District councillors have called for lifting the restriction.[18] The Transport Department has indicated it will study solutions, including bus turning areas and full road condition review.[19]

In the 2022–2023 Bus Route Planning Programme, the Transport Department announced improvement works on the Ng Tung Chai section of Lam Kam Road. Upon completion, a bus terminus will be established there to extend the Tai Po terminus of KMB Route T74 to Ng Tung Chai.[20] In July 2023, after trial runs at the Ng Tung Chai roundabout, the department found 12 m buses feasible east of the roundabout and proposed lifting the 11 m restriction there, subject to public consultation.[21] Effective 19 February 2025, buses of any length are permitted without permit east of the Ng Tung Chai roundabout.[22]

Widening works

During 1990s widening, the section near Ling Wan Monastery was not upgraded like the Lam Tsuen Valley portion, as a 1997 study found the steep gradient made widening and curve improvements insufficient to meet modern safety standards, and low traffic volumes meant the existing design was adequate.[12]

In 2007, the Highways Department planned to upgrade the Ling Wan Monastery section to modern two-lane standards under the "Kam Tin Road and remaining section of Lam Kam Road Improvement Works", starting preliminary design, land survey and impact assessment, aiming for construction in 2011.[23] The project stalled. In 2013, Yuen Long District Council chairman Leung Che-cheung and councillor Lai Wai-hung questioned progress; the department cited high cost and low priority compared to other projects as reasons for deferral.[24] A working group was formed in 2014 to press for widening to support Yuen Long development.[25]

In July 2019, the Highways Department revived the proposal for the Yuen Long section—identical to the 2007 plan.[26] Councillors urged additional lanes and curve/gradient fixes; the department said designs would consider site conditions and consult Rural Committees and the District Council before seeking funding.[27]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lam Kam Road.

References

  1. ^ "第374E章《道路交通(車輛登記及領牌)規例》" [Cap. 374E Road Traffic (Registration and Licensing of Vehicles) Regulations]. Hong Kong e-Legislation (in Chinese). 30 December 2019. Archived from the original on 18 July 2020. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  2. ^ "途徑測量工作完竣 林錦公路秋後興建 將對被塡平之田畝組仲裁會訂價賠償" [Survey work completed; Lam Kam Road to be built in autumn; arbitration board to set compensation for filled farmland]. 华侨日报 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). 18 June 1949. p. 5. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  3. ^ "橫貫新界東西两部 林錦公路 下月開放 全程十二英里" [Traversing east and west New Territories; Lam Kam Road to open next month; total length 12 miles] (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). 华侨日报. 7 April 1950. p. 6. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  4. ^ a b "林錦公路通車 只准軍警車輛通行" [Lam Kam Road opens; only military and police vehicles allowed]. 香港工商日报 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Hong Kong Kung Sheung Daily News. 28 July 1950. p. 5. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  5. ^ "耗資兩百多萬林錦公路修成 普通車輛行駛要罰" [Cost over HK$2 million; Lam Kam Road completed; ordinary vehicles fined for use] (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). 大公报. 5 November 1950. p. 4.
  6. ^ "村民請准許通車林錦路" [Villagers request permission to use Lam Kam Road]. 华侨日报 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). 5 February 1951. p. 5. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  7. ^ "林錦公路今起開放 今後來往車輛不須如前領證" [Lam Kam Road opens today; vehicles no longer require permits] (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). 华侨日报. 9 March 1952. p. 5.
  8. ^ "新界林錦公路四一行走巴士 縮減元朗至大埔路程一倍" [Bus service begins on Lam Kam Road in New Territories; halves journey time from Yuen Long to Tai Po] (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). 华侨日报. 31 March 1953. p. 6. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  9. ^ New Territories Administration (29 September 1978). 街道命名 [Street Naming] (Report) (in Chinese). Vol. 120–39. Hong Kong Government Gazette. 2481.
  10. ^ "出席八鄉鄉委會新一屆村代表大會 元朗政務專員黃志光透露發展計劃 擴闊林錦公路增流量 疏導元朗至大埔交通" [Yuen Long District Officer Wong Chi-kwong reveals development plans at Pat Heung Rural Committee; widening Lam Kam Road to increase capacity and relieve Yuen Long–Tai Po traffic]. 华侨日报 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). 21 April 1988. p. 25. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  11. ^ "改善林錦公路更進一步擴闊 港府要求立局增撥建費逾千三百萬 重建各引入道路接駁點" [Further widening of Lam Kam Road; government requests LegCo for additional funding over HK$13 million; reconstruction of junction points]. 华侨日报 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). 13 November 1989. p. 6. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  12. ^ a b "林錦公路設計" [Design of Lam Kam Road] (in Chinese). Hong Kong Government Information Services. 7 April 1998. Archived from the original on 14 April 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  13. ^ "香港地方 - 道路及鐵路 - 香港斜路" [Hong Kong Place – Roads and Railways – Hong Kong Slopes]. www.hk-place.com (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 30 March 2020. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  14. ^ "元朗區選區分界圖" [Yuen Long District Constituency Boundary Map] (PDF) (in Chinese). Electoral Affairs Commission. Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 September 2020. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  15. ^ The Annual Traffic Census 2021 [The Annual Traffic Census 2021] (PDF) (Report). Transport Department. 2022. p. C-24. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 October 2022. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  16. ^ "林錦公路友愛邨 將劃為全日禁區" [Lam Kam Road and Yau Oi Estate to be all-day restricted zones] (in Chinese). 华侨日报. 13 December 1987. p. 4.
  17. ^ "探射燈：郊區旅巴限長司機抄牌貼糧" [Spotlight: Suburban tour coaches restricted by length; drivers fined and lose pay]. 东方日报 (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 2 September 2020. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
  18. ^ "要求放寬巴士車身長度限制以便新款大型巴士行駛林錦公路(林村路段)" [Request to relax bus length restriction for new large buses on Lam Kam Road (Lam Tsuen section)] (PDF) (in Chinese). Tai Po District Council Transport and Traffic Committee Paper TT 24/2019 (大埔区议会交通及运输委员会文件TT 24/2019号). 27 February 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 September 2020. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  19. ^ "大埔區議會交通及運輸委員會2019年第二次會議記錄" [Minutes of the 2nd Meeting of the Tai Po District Council Transport and Traffic Committee 2019] (PDF) (in Chinese). 大埔区议会交通及运输委员会. 15 March 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 September 2020. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  20. ^ "2022-2023年度大埔區巴士路線計劃" [2022–2023 Bus Route Planning Programme – Tai Po District] (PDF) (in Chinese). 运输署. February 2022. Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 December 2022. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  21. ^ Transport Department (July 2023). "運輸署就委員會文件TT43/2023號「建議放寬專營巴士進入林錦公路的車輛長度限制」的回覆" [Transport Department's reply to Committee Paper TT43/2023 "Proposal to relax franchised bus length restriction on Lam Kam Road"] (PDF) (in Chinese). Tai Po District Council Transport and Traffic Committee Paper TT43/2023 (大埔区议会交通及运输委员会文件TT43/2023号). Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 July 2023. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
  22. ^ 何广铿. "大埔林錦公路長度超逾11米車輛禁區" [Tai Po Lam Kam Road length exceeding 11 metres vehicle restricted zone]. Transport Department (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 30 May 2025. Retrieved 12 March 2025.
  23. ^ "錦田公路及林錦公路餘段改善工程簡介" [Introduction to Kam Tin Road and Remaining Section of Lam Kam Road Improvement Works] (PDF) (in Chinese). Highways Department. September 2007. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 October 2018. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
  24. ^ "黎偉雄議員對「查詢有關林錦公路及錦田公路擴闊工程」的提問" [Councillor Lai Wai-hung's question on "Enquiry regarding widening of Lam Kam Road and Kam Tin Road"] (PDF) (in Chinese). Yuen Long District Council Paper 82/2013 (元朗区议会文件82/2013号). 28 November 2013. Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 September 2020. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
  25. ^ "通過爭取擴闊林錦公路及錦田公路工作小組職權範圍及成員名單" [Adoption of terms of reference and membership of the Working Group on Widening Lam Kam Road and Kam Tin Road] (PDF) (in Chinese). Yuen Long District Council Working Group Paper 2014/1. 9 January 2014. Archived (PDF) from the original on 11 October 2018. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  26. ^ "錦田公路及林錦公路餘段改善工程" [Kam Tin Road and Remaining Section of Lam Kam Road Improvement Works] (PDF) (in Chinese). Yuen Long District Council Transport and Traffic Committee Paper 2019/56. 11 July 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 September 2020. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  27. ^ "交通及運輸委員會進展報告" [Transport and Traffic Committee Progress Report] (PDF) (in Chinese). Yuen Long District Council Paper 2019/71. 3 September 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 September 2020. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
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