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At the meeting held this afternoon (September 18), the Transport Advisory Committee (TAC) was briefed on the decision of The Chief Executive-in-Council to endorse Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC)'s proposal to adopt the tunnel option for the construction of the Sheung Shui to Lok Ma Chau Spur Line project.
Dr Cheng Hon-kwan, the Chairman of TAC, said, "We welcome this decision. We believe that the bored tunnel approach represents a practical way forward with less impact on the environment and the local community than the original viaduct approach."
"The Spur Line is an important railway infrastructure. It will not only relieve the congestion at Lo Wu, but also will provide the transport backbone to the proposed Kwu Tung North New Development Area and serve as a strategic link between East Rail and West Rail in northern New Territories. We trust KCRC and the relevant government departments will work together to ensure the smooth implementation of the project."
The TAC was also briefed on the Government's plan to construct the Shenzhen Western Corridor (SWC).
"We agree that it is a matter of urgency to construct the SWC to relieve the congestion at the three existing vehicular boundary crossings. We understand that the project is in full steam and both the Hong Kong and Shenzhen sides are working closely on the implementation of the project," said Dr Cheng.
The SWC, a 5.1-km dual three-lane bridge spanning Deep Bay, will be the fourth land transport crossing between Hong Kong and Shenzhen in addition to the three existing ones at Lok Ma Chau, Man Kam To and Sha Tau Kok respectively.
"We believe the Government will liaise with the Shenzhen authorities closely and effectively to ensure that the SWC will be completed as soon as possible to meet the traffic demand. We are assured that the relevant departments are working in a coordinated manner and will carefully assess the traffic and environmental impacts of the project at the design stage. We also note that the Government has consulted the District Councils and Rural Committees of Yuen Long and Tuen Mun and will give due consideration to the public views."
At the same meeting, the TAC also discussed the progress of the implementation of pedestrianisation schemes in various districts.
"The TAC notes that pedestrianisation schemes have been successfully implemented in Causeway Bay, Tsim Sha Tsui and Mong Kok and are well-received by the local communities and the public at large. We are pleased to know that the Government has plans to extend the schemes to other busy districts including Central, Wan Chai, Jordan and Sham Shui Po shortly", said the TAC Chairman.
According to the questionnaire survey conducted by Transport Department earlier this year, 96 per cent of the 2,000 respondents agreed that there was a need for implementing pedestrianisation schemes in Hong Kong. Over 70 per cent of the respondents considered that the pedestrianisation schemes in Causeway Bay, Mong Kok and Tsim Sha Tsui were effective in improving pedestrian safety and mobility. Around 90 per cent of the respondents were supportive of the proposed pedestrianisation schemes in Central, Wan Chai, Jordan and Sham Shui Po.
"Pedestrianisation schemes are effective in reducing the conflict between vehicular and pedestrian traffic and will bring about improvements in the pedestrian environment. We are pleased to note that the Government will continue to identify and assess the possibilities of extending such schemes to other areas in Hong Kong. We fully support pedestrianisation schemes and hope these schemes will continue to enjoy public support," concluded Dr Cheng.
END/Tuesday, September 18, 2001
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