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The Government published in the Gazette today (April 28) amendments to the railway scheme for Sheung Shui to Lok Ma Chau Spur Line (the Spur Line) in accordance with the Railways Ordinance.

"The amendments comprise mainly changes of a some 150m-long section of the railway embankment to viaduct and the design of road reprovisioning at Chau Tau by raising the track levels, and realignment of the emergency vehicle access from Chau Tau to the new Lok Ma Chau Terminus."

"These amendments will have the benefits of minimising the land requirements and the impact to Chau Tau and providing a better emergency vehicle access to serve the new Lok Ma Chau Terminus," a Government spokesman said.

The Spur Line will provide an additional rail passenger boundary crossing at Lok Ma Chau in order to relieve the existing one at Lo Wu and meet the growth in transport demands due to the strengthened linkage with the Mainland side. It is expected that the Spur Line will be completed in 2004.

Under the Railways Ordinance, members of the public may lodge objections to these amendments from now until June 27, 2000. The amendments and the relevant plans are available for inspection at the Central and Western, North and Yuen Long District Offices, and the North and Yuen Long District Lands Office during office hours.

End/Friday, April 28, 2000

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