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Following is a question by the Hon Starry Lee Wai-king and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Ms Eva Cheng, at the Legislative Council meeting today (December 16):
Question:
The scheme for the Kwun Tong Line Extension gazetted last month did not adopt certain suggestions put forward earlier by local residents during the consultation meetings for the project. Such suggestions include the construction of a pedestrian subway to connect Whampoa Station to the pedestrian subway at the junction of Hung Hom Road and Tai Wan Road, as well as underground pedestrian links to connect Ho Man Tin Station to Ho Man Tin Estate and Oi Man Estate. Representatives of the Government and the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) pointed out at the consultation meetings that the estimated daily pedestrian flow at the aforesaid locations did not reach the minimum standard for constructing such facilities. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) apart from the aforesaid standard on pedestrian flow, whether the Government and MTRCL have other reasons for not adopting the aforesaid suggestions; if they have, of the details;
(b) what standards of pedestrian flow for the construction of underground pedestrian connections are under the existing planning standards, as well as the requirement on pedestrian flow for the construction of such facilities at the aforesaid locations; and
(c) whether the Government and MTRCL had, when planning facilities of the same kind in the past, considered factors other than pedestrian flow, e.g. the potential of the facilities concerned in revitalising old areas and promoting the development of tourism in the areas; if they had, of the details?
Reply:
President,
On March 11, 2008, the Executive Council decided that the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) should proceed with the further planning and preliminary design of the Kwun Tong Line Extension (KTE). KTE is the extension of the existing MTR Kwun Tong Line from Yau Ma Tei Station to Whampoa Station, with an intermediate station at Ho Man Tin. The Government and the MTRCL consulted the Traffic and Transport Committee of the Yau Tsim Mong and the Kowloon City District Councils on the project. We also conducted two rounds of extensive public consultation in collaboration with the Kowloon City District Council in 2008 and 2009. The general public support the KTE project and request its early implementation.
Pursuant to the Railways Ordinance (Cap 519), we gazetted the KTE railway scheme on November 27, 2009 and started the statutory consultative process and detailed design for the project.
My responses to the various parts of the question are as follows:
(1) and (2) One of the major elements in the design of railway projects is to look thoroughly into how there will be effective linkages with the neighbourhood. There is no exception to the KTE project. In the course of public consultation for KTE, some locals suggested providing additional or improving the pedestrian connectivity facilities, including provision of separate pedestrian subways to connect Ho Man Tin Station and Ho Man Tin Estate/Oi Man Estate; and construction of a subway along Hung Hom Road connecting Whampoa Station to the existing subway at the junction of Tai Wan Road East/Fat Kwong Street / Hung Hom Road and to Laguna Verde.
In the provision of pedestrian linkages between railway stations and the neighbourhood, a number of objective factors would have to be taken into consideration, including conditions of the existing pedestrian network and facilities, road traffic conditions, road safety concern, pedestrian flow forecast, topographic conditions, technical viability and cost-effectiveness etc. Pedestrian flow is just one of the factors, amongst others, but not the only determining factor.
The Government and the MTRCL have studied the above suggestions for pedestrian links. For Whampoa Station, there is an existing footpath along Hung Hom Road which will connect directly with Whampoa Station to the junction of Tai Wan Road East/Fat Kwong Street. This levelled footpath is approximately 400m long and about 3m wide, and can adequately cope with the growth of pedestrian flow in future. The footpath is already planted with a row of trees, providing a comfortable walking environment for pedestrians. As the suggested subway follows the same alignment as the existing footpath along Hung Hom Road, their functions would be duplicated.
Regarding the connection between Ho Man Tin Station and Ho Man Tin Estate/Oi Man Estate, we propose to construct a subway and a lift tower to connect the station with Chung Yee Street. We will also upgrade the existing walkway with cover and construct two covered footbridges to reach Sheung Lok Street and Hau Man Street at Ho Man Tin Estate and Oi Man Estate respectively. The design of this pedestrian link has made use of the existing pedestrian facilities and taken into consideration the varying gradients of Ho Man Tin district. The proposed pedestrian link will enhance the pedestrian network in the district with a view to providing a levelled, comfortable and cost-effective connection and walking environment. We have also considered providing direct subways to connect Ho Man Tin Station and Ho Man Tin Estate/Oi Man Estate, but this point-to-point linkage could not improve the existing pedestrian network in the district. Furthermore, when compared with the subway option, our proposal can provide a more comfortable walking environment and requires no extra land for the provision of ventilation and fire services facilities.
Whilst appreciating the aspirations and concerns of residents for the provision or improvement of station entrances, we are of the view that the proposed pedestrian links are suitable provisions having balanced the relevant considerations as mentioned above. Notwithstanding the above, we will continue to closely liaise with the locals with a view to improving the current proposal of pedestrian connectivity measures.
(3) As mentioned above, there are a number of objective factors that need to be considered in assessing the provision of pedestrian facilities between railway stations and the neighbourhood. Expansion of the railway network can provide convenience to the public, promote economic activities, open opportunities for commercial developments and revitalise the local communities. These will indirectly regenerate old districts, promote tourism and bring about economic benefits. For effective implementation of railway development projects, we will ensure that connectivity with the nearby pedestrian network can suitably provide a safe, efficient and convenient transit between stations and their neighbourhood. This is exactly the principle we are following in the planning of the Kwun Tong Line Extension.
Ends/Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Issued at HKT 12:34
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