Following is a question by the Hon Alice Mak and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Mr Frank Chan Fan, in the Legislative Council today (September 8):
Question:
The first population intake of Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area (the NDA) is expected to take place in 2024. However, the Hung Shui Kiu Station proposed to be built between Tin Shui Wai Station and Siu Hong Station on the Tuen Ma Line (TML) is currently still at the detailed planning and design stage, and only the first stage of the Feasibility Study on Environmentally Friendly Transport Services in Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area and Adjacent Areas (the Feasibility Study) has been completed so far. As such, the residents concerned may need to live at a place with inconvenient public transport for several years. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) of the timetable for Stage 2 of the Feasibility Study and the progress made so far; the date expected for commissioning the environment-friendly transport system concerned;
(2) of the measures in place to speed up the improvement of the transport infrastructure and services for the NDA, including speeding up the planning work for Hung Shui Kiu Station, so as to pursue the "infrastructure-led" planning approach; and
(3) given that a population of 176 000 will be accommodated upon the full intake of residents by the public housing projects in the NDA, whether, in order to alleviate the pressure to be brought about by an increased population on the carrying capacity of the TML, the Government will consider building a new railway line in New Territories West connecting the TML and the urban areas, thereby achieving a diversion effect?
Reply:
President,
Having consulted the Development Bureau (DEVB), our reply to various parts of the Hon Alice Mak's question is as follows:
(1) According to the information provided by the DEVB, the Feasibility Study on Environmentally Friendly Transport Services (EFTS) in Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area (HSK/HT NDA) and Adjacent Areas is being conducted in two stages. The first stage study and public consultation have been completed. The Civil Engineering and Development Department is conducting the second stage study, which includes further evaluating the proposed green public transport modes with consideration of public views received in stage 1 public consultation, and will consult relevant stakeholders on the results of second stage study at an appropriate time. Based on the results of the second stage study and the views collected in public consultation, the Government will plan the way forward and implementation arrangement/timetable of the EFTS project to meet the traffic and transport needs of the NDA.
(2) The Government has invited the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) to proceed with the detailed planning and design of the HSK Station. It is expected that construction of HSK Station may commence in 2024 for completion in 2030 to tie in with the development plan of HSK/HT NDA. According to the current planning for the HSK/HT NDA, the major population intake of the NDA is expected to commence from 2030 onwards, which will be in line with the target commissioning of HSK Station. The Government will continue to follow up with the MTRCL to ensure that it will closely monitor the project progress with a view to completing the project for providing services as soon as possible. Before the commissioning of the HSK Station, a small population (about 4 400 residents, who are mainly the existing residents affected by the works) will gradually move into the newly completed dedicated rehousing estates within the district from 2024 onwards. In other words, majority of these residents are decanted from the same district but not new intake. The relevant departments will coordinate with public transport operators to provide adequate public transport services having regard to the transport needs of the decanted residents.
(3) The Government is planning to take forward a group of priority transport corridors connecting the coastal area of Tuen Mun, Lantau, Kau Yi Chau Artificial Islands and Hong Kong Island under the Lantau Tomorrow Vision. The project will help divert passengers from New Territories West to urban areas. Moreover, the Highways Department and the Transport Department commenced the "Strategic Studies on Railways and Major Roads beyond 2030" (the RMR2030+ studies) in December last year. Based on the final development strategy of the "Hong Kong 2030+: Towards a Planning Vision and Strategy Transcending 2030" planning study which will soon be published by the DEVB, the RMR2030+ studies will explore the layout of railway and major road infrastructure and conduct preliminary engineering and technical assessments for their alignments and supporting facilities, so as to ensure that the planning of large-scale transport infrastructure will complement or even reserve capacity to meet the overall long-term development needs of Hong Kong.
Thank you, President.
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