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The Government continued with land resumption in Tuen Mun today (July 3) to prepare for the commencement of the construction of the Deep Bay Link.

"The resumption work at Fuk Hang Tsuen began shortly after 11 a.m. and completed at 5 p.m. A total of 195 structures, 21 domestic families and 4 industrial/commercial undertakings have been cleared today. All structures cleared were either vacant ones or the occupants of which have agreed to move out," a Government spokesman said.

Relevant government departments including the Housing Department and Lands Department contacted the affected clearees in March 2002 soon after the gazettal of the Deep Bay Link project. Pre-clearance notices and land resumption notices were served to the affected persons in March 2003.

The spokesman said, "we have been maintaining close liaison with all clearees since March 2002 with a view to offering advice and assistance to facilitate their early removal and resolve any outstanding matters. All those affected were compensated in accordance with the existing policies and that compensation has been offered to most of the eligible clearees."

"Rehousing arrangement has been made for these affected clearees who are eligible for public rental housing. No affected clearee will be rendered homeless as a result of the clearance exercise.

"We are grateful for the cooperation of most of the affected clearees which enabled us to proceed with our operation today. We will continue with our clearance programme so as to tie in with the construction programme of the project," the spokesman added.

The Deep Bay Link is a 5.4 km long dual 3-lane trunk road linking the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Corridor (HK-SWC) from Ngau Hom Shek to the existing Yuen Long Highway. The construction works have started in late June 2003 for completion by end 2005.

Ends/Thursday, July 3, 2003

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