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Following is a question by the Hon Paul Tse and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Professor Anthony Cheung Bing-leung, in the Legislative Council today (October 24):
Question:
The Government plans to allocate over $1 billion annually in the next few years to implement a new policy to provide a "universally accessible environment" (the new policy) under which lifts will be installed at footbridges, subways and elevated walkways in 232 locations. It has been reported that so far, the installation of lifts has been finalised in 10 locations only; while planning studies are being undertaken for most of the remaining locations, studies have yet to be commenced for 58 locations (i.e. 25% of the total number). In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) among the aforesaid locations for which planning studies are being undertaken and have yet to be commenced respectively, of the number of those which are within the hillside housing estates in the districts of Kwun Tong and Wong Tai Sin;
(b) whether, prior to the implementation of the new policy, it has consulted the various District Councils on the demands for barrier-free facilities in the districts, so as to formulate a timetable for the provision of such facilities; if it has, of the details; if not, the reasons for that, and whether such a consultation can be held expeditiously;
(c) given that many residents in Kowloon East have pointed out that apart from developing Kowloon East into a core business district, the "Energizing Kowloon East" project should also focus on enhancing the accessibility of areas such as various hillside housing estates, Sau Mau Ping and the Anderson area under development, etc., which are far away from MTR stations, as well as strive to connect various hillside housing estates, business districts and the Kwun Tong Promenade together, whether the Government will accept the views of the residents in Kowloon East and expand the scope of the new policy to construct barrier-free access connecting such areas and MTR stations; if it will, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
(d) given that some residents in Kwun Tong have pointed out that there have long been vehicle-pedestrian conflicts along streets in the district such as Hoi Yuen Road and Kwun Tong Road, causing much inconvenience to the elderly, persons with disabilities and pregnant women, whether the Government has studied the construction of elevated walkways with lifts on road sections in Kwun Tong and across the territory with the most serious vehicle-pedestrian conflicts under the new policy, so as to minimise on-street pedestrian flow, ease traffic congestion and reduce the exposure of pedestrians to vehicle emissions; if it has, of the outcome of the study; if not, whether such a study can be conducted expeditiously?
Reply:
President,
The Government has been undertaking programmes to retrofit ramps and lifts for public walkways (including footbridges, elevated walkways and tunnels) without standard barrier-free access facilities. To bring further convenience to the elderly, persons with disabilities and the general public in using the public walkways, the Chief Executive announced a new policy on "universal accessibility" on August 21 this year. Under the new policy, when considering the retrofitting of barrier-free access facilities to public walkways, lifts and ramps will be treated equally. This is a change from the current practice which gives priority to ramps. At the same time, as long as site conditions permit, the Government would consider installing lifts at walkways even if a standard ramp has already been installed.
The Government will soon seek approval of the Legislative Council Finance Committee to establish a dedicated funding source for relevant works on an annual basis. Provision of about $100 million is expected in the coming year, rising to over $1 billion annually in the few years following, to expedite the works projects.
When the new policy on "universal accessibility" was announced in August, the Government announced a list of 233 proposed projects. Among which, ten have earlier been approved with funding and have started or will start construction. Another 164 projects are public walkways with no appropriate barrier-free access facilities installed and are awaiting the completion of technical feasibility studies and funding allocation before works can start. The remaining 59 projects are preliminary proposals suggested by District Councils and members of the local community.
We welcome members of the public to provide further suggestions on locations for installing lifts by October 31 this year, so that a final prioritised list for implementation can be compiled after consultation with the relevant District Councils. Once a project is confirmed to be technically feasible, we will start the design and construction work as soon as possible.
The reply to the four parts of the question is as follows:
(a) Among the abovementioned 233 proposed projects, ten are within Kwun Tong District and 13 within Wong Tai Sin District. Regarding the existing public walkways involved in these 23 proposed projects, three in Kwun Tong District and seven in Wong Tai Sin District are situated near hillside housing estates.
(b) As mentioned above, in the list announced by the Government in August, 59 projects are proposed by District Councils and members of the local community. We are also inviting members of the public to provide more suggested locations for retrofitting of lifts by end October this year. After collecting all the suggestions, we will process these suggestions together with the original ones received, and then submit to the relevant District Councils for discussion to decide on the priority of implementation.
(c) and (d) To take forward the initiatives for Energizing Kowloon East (EKE), the Development Bureau has formulated a CBD2 planning strategy, which includes "Connectivity", "Branding", "Design" and "Diversity". "Connectivity" is actually one of the main planning elements under EKE. Three of the tasks included in the Conceptual Master Plan 2.0 specifically focus on enhancing the connectivity from the three MTR Stations (i.e. Kowloon Bay, Ngau Tau Kok and Kwun Tong) towards the business areas and the waterfront.
For a better accessibility from Kowloon Bay MTR Station to Kowloon Bay Business Area and further to the waterfront of the Kai Tak Development, the Government is planning to commission a feasibility study to improve the pedestrian environment at Kowloon Bay Business Area. The study is anticipated to complete in end 2014. The Government will implement those short-term proposals identified in the study promptly, and formulate an implementation plan for other medium to long-term proposals.
The Government has also established an inter-departmental traffic focus group which is now concentrating on formulating possible enhancements in Kwun Tong Business Area. The focus group has already taken forward various improvement proposals in four categories including widening of footpath, modification of traffic signals, improvement of pedestrian crossing facilities, and removal of obstacles including traffic signs to pedestrian. Some of these measures have already been put in place and are serving the public while other measures will be implemented shortly in a progressive manner. The Government will also examine options of pedestrian links along Hoi Yuen Road taking into account possible alignment of the Environmentally Friendly Linkage System. Besides, the Government plans to examine enhancing pedestrian connectivity at Ngau Tau Kok MTR Station including improvements to pedestrian crossing facilities, and study possible options of a pedestrian link to enhance the connection between the landside and the waterfront.
The Government will continue to install lifts in public walkways (including public walkways connecting Mass Transit Railway stations) without standard barrier free access facilities in the district and will, through the "universal accessibility" new policy, as long as site conditions permit and there is a public need, consider installing lifts at walkways even if standard ramps have already been installed. We have communicated with the Mass Transit Railway Corporation Limited and the Corporation will support the Government's new policy to pursue the necessary works in public walkway projects involving stations under the Corporation's jurisdiction.
The Government is endeavoured to implement various measures and programme in various districts in Hong Kong to improve the pedestrian environment, reduce vehicle-pedestrian conflicts along streets and enhance pedestrian safety.
Since 2000, the Transport Department has been implementing pedestrian schemes, including pedestrian streets, in several areas, with a view to improving pedestrian safety and mobility, promoting walking as a transport mode, avoiding access of non-essential vehicles in busy areas, reducing air pollution, as well as improving overall pedestrian environment. Furthermore, the Government is considering the implementation of pedestrian environment improvement works, including the pedestrian subway system in Causeway Bay, footbridge system in Mong Kok, as well as pedestrian environment improvement scheme in Yuen Long Town.
Ends/Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Issued at HKT 13:20
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