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The Government published in the Gazette today (November 28) the railway scheme for the Hong Kong Section of Guangzhou – Shenzhen – Hong Kong Express Rail Link (XRL) in accordance with the Railways Ordinance (Cap. 519).
The XRL is one of the ten major infrastructure projects announced in the Chief Executive's Policy Address in October 2007. It is estimated that some 5,500 and 10,000 job opportunities will be created during the construction and operation stages respectively.
A government spokesman said the XRL project involved a terminus in West Kowloon and a dedicated underground railway tunnel from West Kowloon to the boundary at Huanggang where the railway would meet its Mainland section.
"The proposed rail line will provide fast, convenient and reliable services to and from Hong Kong and Guangzhou via Shenzhen. Passengers could travel to Shenzhen in about 15 minutes and to Guangzhou in about 50 minutes. That would be twice as fast as the current intercity through train between Hong Kong and Guangzhou," he said.
The XRL will also link Hong Kong to the National High Speed Rail Network. Upon completion of the railway, the travelling time from Hong Kong to Beijing and Shanghai will be shortened to about 10 hours and eight hours respectively.
By interchanging with the adjoining Kowloon Station of the Airport Express Line and the Tung Chung Line, the future Kowloon Southern Link Austin Station, convenient access to other parts of Hong Kong will be provided for XRL passengers.
The MTR Corporation Limited is proceeding with the design of the XRL and intensive public engagement is underway.
Subject to the authorisation of the scheme, construction will commence in end 2009 for completion by 2014/2015.
Under the Railways Ordinance (Cap. 519), people can lodge objections to the scheme from now until January 29, 2009 and claim compensation under the provisions of the Ordinance.
The scheme and the relevant plans are available for public inspection at the Central and Western, Yuen Long, Tuen Mun, Tsuen Wan, Kwai Tsing, Sham Shui Po and Yau Tsim Mong District Offices, and the District Lands Offices of Yuen Long, Tuen Mun, Tsuen Wan and Kwai Tsing, and Kowloon West, during office hours.
Copies of the scheme and the Plans can be bought from the Railway Development Office of the Highways Department. Enquiries about sales can be made during office hours at 2762 3976. The electronic version are viewable on the department's website (http://www.hyd.gov.hk/eng/major/road/rail/index.htm).
Further enquiries regarding the scheme can be addressed to the Highways Department at 2762 3564 or the Transport and Housing Bureau at 2189 2132 during office hours.
Ends/Friday, November 28, 2008
Issued at HKT 10:28
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