The Transport Dept has brushed aside concerns over a lack of parking spaces in Tung Chung after the opening of the Hong Kong-Macau Bridge.

Islands District Councillor and DAB vice-chairman Holden Chow says he was “disappointed” by the department’s attitude, which he believes will lead to bridge travellers taking up scarce parking spots in Tung Chung.

“The 650 parking spaces currently planned by the government are definitely not sufficient to meet future needs,” he told a council meeting last week. By comparison Macau and Hengqin at the other end of the bridge have 10,000 parking spots, he pointed out.

“There will certainly be a problem with parking spaces in Tung Chung Town Centre.”

In a written response, the Transport Dept said the government had built a public transport interchange which was accessible from all parts of the city via different types of transport.

“The government expects most visitors to and from the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge will use public transport service,” it said.

However it said the department would consider the need for parking lots and other facilities on the bridge landing zone following the completion of a Development Bureau study.

The bridge, expected to open late this year or early next, has been forecast to carry 14,000 vehicles daily.