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Government to study Tsz Wan Shan pedestrian access to rail station
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    The Government will study the feasibility of connecting Tsz Wan Shan to the future Diamond Hill Station of the Shatin to Central Link (SCL) by enhancing the existing footbridge system and providing more pedestrian access, including escalators and a lift tower. The network will provide better accessibility to the new rail link and greater convenience for pedestrian movements within the district.

    The Secretary for Transport and Housing, Ms Eva Cheng, made this statement after inspecting some pedestrian and transport facilities in Tsz Wan Shan today (February 2).

    "We are considering providing a lift tower of about 60 metres high linking Fung Mei Path up to the Po Kong Village Road District Open Space that is being planned."

    "The facility will be modeled on the concept of the West Island Line community lift tower that will link the Mid-Levels and the waterfront."

    "It will give residents and students in the vicinity an easy access to the Diamond Hill Station where they can take the SCL or Kwun Tong Line. Residents will also find it convenient going to the open space by using the lift tower and taking their bicycles to the cycling path there," Ms Cheng said.

    The Secretary said the hilly terrain and geological conditions in Tsz Wan Shan made it technically difficult and risky to build a station in this location.

    At present, there is a good footbridge system that connects the public housing estates with Tsz Wan Shan Shopping Centre and other areas in the neighbourhood. However, there is room for improvement, particularly regarding the use of existing facilities and building more pedestrian access including escalators to provide enhanced connections to the future SCL Diamond Hill Station.

    Other measures being considered to strengthen the district's transport connectivity include improving franchised minibus routes and service frequency as well as discussions with the MTRC on the feasibility of providing fare concessions to minibus passengers interchanging with the train.

    Initial exchanges of views on these proposals were made with local resident groups to help prepare the final SCL scheme. The Government will maintain its dialogue with the District Council and residents.

    Ms Cheng said the design of the SCL scheme was approaching the final stage. She expected the alignment and its implementation timetable to be finalised soon, and she pledged to further consult the public.

    The Government is considering the proposal submitted by the MTRC in 2005 with an alignment running from Tai Wai, Diamond Hill, South East Kowloon to Hung Hom, then crossing the harbour to Exhibition and Admiralty Stations.  The proposal is expected to bring both transport and economic benefits.

    Regarding a rail service for Whampoa, the Government is inclined to adopt MTRC's proposal of extending the Kwun Tong Line from Yau Ma Tei with a station at Ho Man Tin.

    Ms Cheng said the Government would continue to work on the most suitable funding arrangement for the SCL scheme. Under the rail merger framework, the Government has the discretion of adopting the ownership approach or concession approach for the scheme.

Ends/Saturday, February 2, 2008
Issued at HKT 12:45

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