*****************************************************
Chung On Street in Tsuen Wan, better known as the "jewellery and goldsmith square", was recently given a facelift following the phased completion of a revitalising programme which enhanced the residents' living environment and boosted the district's economic development.
The Secretary for Development, Mrs Carrie Lam, officiated at the completion ceremony for the "Tsuen Wan Chung On Street Revitalising Programme" today (February 28). Together with other officiating guests including the Chairman of Tsuen Wan District Council, Mr Chau How-chen; Chairman of the Urban Renewal Authority, Mr Barry Cheung; Chairman of the Hong Kong Housing Society, Mr Yeung Ka-sing; and District Officer (Tsuen Wan), Mr Cheung Doi-ching, Mrs Lam visited Chung On Street to listen to the public's views on the programme and unveil a new travel information board and a special sculpture there.
The revitalising programme was jointly launched by the Tsuen Wan District Council, Tsuen Wan District Office, Urban Renewal Authority and Hong Kong Housing Society in 2008 to improve the streetscape, install new facilities with district characteristics and beautify the living environment of residents.
Mrs Lam said, "The programme not only enhanced the living standard of residents in Tsuen Wan district, but also injected vitality into the renowned 'jewellery and goldsmith square' and helped attract tourists and people from other districts to visit Tsuen Wan, thus fostering the district's economic development."
Works under the revitalising programme included pavement resurfacing and widening, replacement and installation of ornamental railings, resurfacing of carriageways with brightly-coloured materials, and planting for greening and street improvement purposes. To facilitate access by residents and visitors, existing transport facilities were also integrated with passenger pick-up and drop-off points rearranged and rain shelters with a new design installed.
Mr Chau said, "The revitalised Chung On Street has incorporated a number of original elements and taken on a refreshing look. The programme could not have been successfully implemented without full support from government departments, related organisations and district councillors, in particular the Urban Renewal Authority and Hong Kong Housing Society, which both invested much resources, time and valuable opinions in the project." He also thanked residents and tenants for their full co-operation during the programme.
Mr Yeung said, "The Hong Kong Housing Society has been happy to work with the Urban Renewal Authority on the revitalising programme in making an efficient use of resources to enhance the residentsˇ¦ living environment and foster the districtˇ¦s cultural development and local economy."
Mr Barry Cheung said, "The Urban Renewal Authority will continue to tie in with the development of Tsuen Wan district, and support the Tsuen Wan District Council in engaging in an aspirations study on urban regeneration to formulate a revised blueprint based on public opinion."
Spanning more than 500 metres, Chung On Street is one of the streets that was first developed in the district and a south-to-north link between developed and newly-developed zones in Tsuen Wan town centre. With a large number of retail shops along the street, it is also acclaimed as the "jewellery and goldsmith square" for its cluster of gold ornament shops.
An exhibition on the revitalising programme was held at the venue of the ceremony to give residents a better understanding of the programme's details and achievements.
Ends/Sunday, February 28, 2010
Issued at HKT 16:04
NNNN
