Hong Kong authorities have made a U-turn on a plan to restrict taxis from entering the scenic High Island Reservoir in Sai Kung during certain peak periods, according to the city’s largest political party.

An insider revealed in August that authorities would bar taxis from using Sai Kung Man Yee Road leading to the High Island Reservoir between 9am and 6pm from September 13.

The source cited then that the restriction was to reduce rush hour traffic during weekends, public holidays and mainland China’s “golden week” breaks.

Sai Kung Man Yee Road is the only access to and from the West Dam and East Dam of the reservoir. The East Dam has become a hotspot among mainland visitors following rave reviews on various social media platforms.

The site had been packed with people on numerous occasions, with visitors reportedly having to wait hours for taxis and minibuses.

“In the past one or two days, I have received a notice from the government that the plan it raised earlier would be temporarily set aside after conducting some consultations,” said Stanley Li Sai-wing, a lawmaker from the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong.

He said that it was currently unclear what the government would do next, but he hoped authorities would be able to come up with a consensus with different stakeholders on the issue.