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A spokesman for the Transport Bureau noted that the Director of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced today (October 16) the rejection of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report prepared by the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC) on the Sheung Shui to Lok Ma Chau Spur Line.
"We respect the Director of Environmental Protection's decision. We also understand that KCRC has the right to lodge an appeal to the Appeal Board under the EIA Ordinance. The Appeal Board will consider whether KCRC's appeal should be accepted having regard to the merits of the case," he said.
He emphasised that the Government was committed to providing an environmentally friendly transport system to support sustainable development. In planning a railway alignment, the Government's aim has always been to mininise the impact of the project, including the potential environmental impact and the impact on the local community.
On transport grounds, the spokesman said, Transport Bureau was concerned that the Spur Line project might not proceed as scheduled for completion in 2004 to meet the upsurge in cross-boundary rail passenger volumn.
"The Lo Wu Terminal cannot be significantly expanded in view of the physical constraints. If the Spur Line cannot be timely completed, passengers may need to queue up at Lo Wu and other East Rail stations, or to switch to other modes of public transport that may result in additional pressure on the already congested cross boundary road traffic."
"We hope a realistic solution can soon be found and the Spur Line project can proceed as soon as possible before congestion at Lo Wu further deteriorates," he said.
End/Monday, October 16, 2000
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