20
we are trying hard to catch up, and a whole series of road and rail
developments in both the old urban areas and the New Territories should steadily transform the present often unsatisfactory state of affairs. This year alone $4 billion will be spent on transport projects.
54.
Though major improvements will be coming into service all the time, such as the Aberdeen tunnel, the Airport Tunnel, the Tsuen Wan
extension of the M.T.R. and the modemisation of the K.C.R. and its
interchange with the M.T.R. all within a year
it will not be until
G
between 1984 and 1986 that some major areas of congestion are cleared
by completion of the Island Line and Eastern Corridor, the Kowloon Western
Corridor, the Tsuen Wan by-pass and the New Territories circular road including the new 6-lane highway from Shatin to Sheung Shui with its Tai Po and
Fan Ling by-passes.
55.
Early relief through works is therefore not possible in many places and meanwhile we must face the fact that our total vehicle population has increased by 64% in five years and private cars by 7%. No doubt it is the result of unexpectedly high and consistent prosperity, but the consequence is serious congestion. I am afraid that the question has become no longer whether restraints on road use are necessary, but only what would be the most effective and least inconvenient form that
they should take.
56.
In addition to the works I have described which should bring substantial relief by the mid-80's, there are many major transport problems to be studied and solved. They include a further cross-harbour link, access to the new development area in Junk Bay, transport facilities
/te.
...