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The Government published in the Gazette today (July 15) amendments to some proposed works of the railway scheme for the Shatin to Central Link (SCL) under section 7 of the Railways Ordinance.
The SCL scheme gazetted in November 2010 includes a 17-kilometre-long railway with a total of 10 stations at Tai Wai, Hin Keng, Diamond Hill, Kai Tak, To Kwa Wan, Ma Tau Wai, Ho Man Tin, Hung Hom, northern Wan Chai and Admiralty.
The railway will run mostly underground and will consist of two parts, namely the Tai Wai to Hung Hom Section, which will be an extension of the existing Ma On Shan Line from Tai Wai to the West Rail Line via East Kowloon, and the Hung Hom to Admiralty Section, which will be an extension of the existing East Rail Line from Hung Hom across the harbour to Hong Kong Island.
Since the gazetting of the SCL scheme, the Government and the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) have been keeping in close contact with the respective District Councils and major stakeholders to listen to their views.
A Government spokesman said, "At present, we are handling the views from the public on the railway scheme. As the SCL passes through a number of districts in the New Territories, Kowloon and Hong Kong Island and many densely populated areas, it involves a variety of concerns in different districts. Moreover, the construction works are complex and there are a lot of issues to be taken care of.
"With an aim to strive to commence the construction works in 2012, we have decided to amend the SCL scheme in two stages.
"The proposed amendments gazetted today are mainly related to the technical aspect to accommodate a number of changes and improvement measures proposed by the MTRCL, which has been carrying out the detailed design and in light of the ground investigation obtained.
"Currently, the MTRCL has been striving to optimise the design of the SCL project. We need more time to discuss with the public on their concerns and views, and investigate the feasibility of making appropriate amendments in response to the suggestions made by the public. We envisage that the discussion and study will be completed within this year and another batch of amendments will be announced before the end of 2011.
"By amending the railway scheme in two stages, we can handle the necessary changes of the scheme in a more effective manner that enables us to achieve the target for completing the statutory consultation process within the first half of 2012."
Under the Railways Ordinance, members of the public have the right to lodge objections to the amendments to the SCL scheme gazetted today from now until September 14, 2011. Any person who has a compensatable interest can claim compensation under the provisions of the Ordinance.
The amendments to the scheme and the relevant plans are available for public inspection at the Public Enquiry Service Centres of the Central and Western, Wan Chai, Eastern, Southern, Yau Tsim Mong, Kowloon City, Wong Tai Sin, Kwun Tong, Sai Kung, Sha Tin, Tai Po and North District offices, and the District Lands Offices of Hong Kong East, Hong Kong West and South, Kowloon East, Kowloon West, Sha Tin, Tai Po, North, and Sai Kung, during office hours.
A copy of the Amendments to Scheme and the Amendment Plans may be purchased from the Railway Development Office of the Highways Department. Enquiries on purchasing details can be made to the Highways Department at telephone number 2762 3976. The electronic version of the Amendments to Scheme and the Amendment Plans are viewable on the Highways Department's website (www.hyd.gov.hk/eng/major/road/rail/index.htm).
Further enquiries regarding the amendments to the scheme can be addressed to the Highways Department at telephone number 2762 4021 or to the Transport and Housing Bureau at telephone number 2189 2132 during office hours.
Ends/Friday, July 15, 2011
Issued at HKT 16:03
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