d.
•
Would the IS ranges replace existing facilities elsewhere to any extent, so that compensating reductions could be adduced as argument in favour of the proposal if it were questioned locally or at Westminster?
What would be the best site for the ranges? What would be their complexity and approximate order of cost?
The team should report to CBF Hong Kong. He will need, in due course and after any necessary MOD clearance has been given, to feed the results into the joint CBF/HKG Working Party which manages the Works Programme. (Afternote: On the advice of Q3(A) it is intended that the team will include a PSA representative with some knowledge of range facilities, since the PSA staff in Hong Kong is very largely administrative and not technical).
Power Lines
4. HKG has recently approached HQBF requesting a realignment of the eastern boundary of the Castle Peak range to permit the China Light and Power Co to run 400KV overhead cables from the new power station at Tap Shek Kok to a sub-station at Tuen Mun. The projected route is for the most part clear of the range boundary, but at Tuen Mun itself the proximity of a new housing development means that the cables can only be routed very close to the existing boundary. China Light and Power Co have therefore suggested that the boundary should be moved 200 metres to the West. HQBF have assessed that this would seriously inhibit activities on the range. We agree and believe that it would be a dangerous precedent: Castle Peak is the only field firing area remaining in the colony and it is already under pressure from illegal encroachment. The Civil Secretary HQBF has suggested that a compromise may be possible. The proposed cable route is at the end of a steep ridge, rising to over 1000ft, which effectively screens the area from fire. Provided that the Power Company accept a minimal risk of damage, therefore, it might be possible to accommodate the power lines without altering the range boundary. In the meanwhile, it has emerged that the Power Company, who are at present resurveying the route, may only request a boundary shift of 100 metres.
5.
The matter cannot be taken further without a detailed assessment on the ground. The team of experts should, therefore, address themselves to this issue as well as to the IS ranges. Among the questions to be considered,
are:
a.
b.
C.
Is there really no other route for the cables? Cannot they go underground or nearer the town?
Would a boundary shift of 100 metres severely reduce the training value of the range?
What are the safety implications of routing the cables through the edge of the range? Will the proximity of the cables give rise to any emission problems?
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