***************************************

The Government published in the gazette the railway scheme for the Ma On Shan to Tai Wai Rail Link today (Friday).

A Government spokesman said that the scheme would provide a 11.4-km passenger rail link which comprised a total of nine stations running from Tai Wai to Lee On via Sha Tin Tau, Sha Kok Street, City One, Shek Mun, Chevalier Garden, Heng On and Ma On Shan. A depot will also be built at Tai Wai.

"Except for a small section of the alignment, the railway will be built on viaduct," he said.

"The Ma On Shan Rail together with the KCR Extension from Hung Hom to Tsim Sha Tsui form one of the priority railway projects recommended under the 1994 Railway Development Strategy.

"Government is committed to implementing these projects to meet the transport needs of Ma On Shan and to facilitate further development of the areas," the spokesman said.

The railway scheme for the Tsim Sha Tsui Extension will be gazetted in late April. It is envisaged that subject to authorisation by the Chief Executive in Council, the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation will start construction of both projects in 2000 for completion in 2004.

Under the Railways Ordinance, members of the public have the right to raise objection to the railway scheme for the Ma On Shan Rail from now until May 25, 1999.

The scheme and the relevant plans are available for inspection at the Central and Western District Office, the Sha Tin District Office and the Sha Tin District Lands Office during normal office hours.

End/Friday, March 26, 1999

NNNN