*********************************************************
In response to media enquiries about a sit-in protest at the Government Headquarters over funding for the Hong Kong section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link (XRL) project, a Transport and Housing Bureau spokesman today (November 29) made the following statement:
"The XRL project allows Hong Kong to tap into the national high-speed railway network. The proposal for the Hong Kong section was the result of in-depth studies and discussion by the Administration in conjunction with the Legislative Council, professionals and different sectors of the community. The project will bring enormous social and economic benefits to Hong Kong. There is general community support for the project and its early implementation in the interest of Hong Kong's competitiveness and long-term development.
The Hong Kong section of the XRL will run in a 26km underground tunnel to protect the environment and minimize the impact on ecology and the public. To meet fire safety requirements, there is a need to provide an emergency rescue station within the Hong Kong section. Having considered different options and the need to affect as few residents as possible, the Government decided that a site of Choi Yuen Tsuen in Shek Kong is the most suitable location. Under that option which affects residents the least, about 150 households will be subject to land resumption. Over the past few months, the Government has explained to Choi Yuen Tsuen residents in detail the reasons for selecting the site.
Regarding the resumption of underground strata of a number of buildings in Tai Kok Tsui area for the tunnel¡¦s passage, the structural safety of the buildings will not be affected.
The Public Works Sub-committee of the Legislative Council Finance Committee will discuss the funding application for the project on Wednesday (December 2)."
Ends/Sunday, November 29, 2009
Issued at HKT 23:38
NNNN