3
لننا لاست
SOUTH
CHINA
MAY 22nd
73
MORNING POST
W
AN ARTIST'S IMPRECOION OF THE MAIN DEPOT OF THE MASO . TRANSMOYOTEM.
Tube' full steam ahead to make deadline
Extensive site preparation at Kowloon Bay will have to be completed "within the next six months if work on the main depot of Hongkong's $10,000 million mass transit railway is to start on schedule.
The Director of Mass Transit Studies, Mr A. H. Wilkins, said this yesterday when he pointed out that the 28-acre site was the only suitable area for the main depot.
He also said it was inevitable that the mass transit scheme would involve some clearance Operations but these would only be undertaken when there was
no alternative.
"Taking into account the tremendous size of this project, and the many thousands of people who will benefit, there will be relatively few clearances. This can be regarded as significant achievement,” he added.
Mr Wilkins stressed the aim was to avoid causing any more dislocation than was necessary, in order to minimise inconvenience to those who would be affected.
Referring back to Kowloon Bay, Mr Wilkins said the planners had difficulties in
deciding where the main depot should be situated due to the scarcity of suitable level ground.
"If it had been at all possible an unoccupied site would have been chosen," he added.
The site is still a problem to the Government because some of the existing squatters, who were told to vacate by mid- June, said they had not been given suitable resettlement or compensation. Some even asked that the date be extended.
Mr Wilkins said it was essential to begin work as early as possible so that a major depot could be laid out where trains could be assembled. tested and maintained, and where training facilities could be provided for the railway staff.
He said staff training would have 10 begin almost immediately after January 1, next year.
Mr Wilkins said the main depot would be linked with the first phase of the mass transit network.
Tracks will be laid first from the depot to the link with the Kowloon-Canton railway near Kowloon Tong as it is anticipated that "rolling stock will be delivered from ships to the depot via this route.
Mr Wilkins said the first section of the link will provide operating experience before it is , opened to public use.