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The Secretary for Transport and Housing, Ms Eva Cheng, today (January 10) inspected some proposed sites for facilities of the Hong Kong section of Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link (XRL) in Yuen Long to keep abreast of the latest development.
Ms Cheng saw for herself the proposed sites near Wang Toi Shan for the emergency rescue station and stabling siding and toured areas around Tsoi Yuen Tsuen related to above-ground land resumption for these facilities, which are vital for the XRL project. She exchanged views with local villagers and listened to their concerns of the project. She also examined the underground strata area in the vicinity of Nam Hing Lei in Pat Heung which is to be resumed for tunnel's passage.
The Transport and Housing Bureau and the Mass Transit Railway Corporation Limited (MTRCL) have been in close contact with the district communities on the XRL project. The project, gazetted on November 28, 2008, is now undergoing in accordance with statutory procedures. The Transport and Housing Bureau will continue to listen to views of the public and consult them.
The MTRCL has been proceeding with the further design for the project with a view to starting construction work before the end of 2009.
The project will create about 5,500 jobs during construction and another 10,000 during its operation.
The XRL Hong Kong section will be a 26-kilometer rail line running from the terminus in West Kowloon to the boundary at Huanggang, where it will connect with the Mainland section.
Upon commissioning of the rail line, commuters from West Kowloon will arrive at Shenzhen in 14 minutes, and Guangzhou in 48 minutes. Integrating the territory into the national express rail network, the rail line will enable travellers to reach Wuhan in five hours, Shanghai in eight hours, and Beijing in 10 hours.
Heung Yee Kuk Chairman Lau Wong-fat and Vice Chairman Cheung Hok-ming, together with some rural committee representatives, District Councillors of Yuen Long, and Yuen Long District Officer Yeung Tak-keung, accompanied Ms Cheng on today's visit.
Ends/Saturday, January 10, 2009
Issued at HKT 18:01
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