The following is issued on behalf of the Transport Advisory Committee:
The Transport Advisory Committee (TAC) was briefed today (December 21) on the railway projects under the Northern Metropolis Development Strategy (Development Strategy).
The Development Strategy proposed five new railway projects, including:
- the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Rail Link linking up Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen and Qianhai of Shenzhen;
- the Northern Link (NOL) Spur Line connecting to the new Huanggang Port in Shenzhen;
- exploring the extension of the East Rail Line to Luohu in Shenzhen and the provision of a new railway station between the existing Lo Wu Station and the Sheung Shui Station (tentatively named Lo Wu South Station);
- extending the NOL eastwards from the Kwu Tung Station to connect with the areas in Lo Wu and Man Kam To on the Hong Kong side and various development nodes in the New Territories North New Town; and
- examining the feasibility of constructing an automated people mover system from Tsim Bei Tsui to Pak Nai.
The above-mentioned cross-boundary railway projects will be pursued through the Task Force for Hong Kong-Shenzhen Cooperation on Cross-Boundary Railway Infrastructure jointly established by the governments of Hong Kong and Shenzhen. For those local projects, their initial concepts will be further explored in detail, taking into consideration the land use planning of the relevant area, expected increase in population and employment opportunities, as well as the development timetable, so as to meet the transport needs of the residential and working populations of the area in the most effective manner.
The TAC Chairman, Professor Stephen Cheung, said, "Members welcome the new railway projects recommended in the Development Strategy and support the Government in taking forward the projects proactively in an orderly manner. The implementation of these projects will enhance the transport connection of the Northern Metropolis as well as promote the connectivity of infrastructure in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, in turn facilitating Hong Kong to better integrate into the overall development of our country."
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