RAILWAY DEVELOPMENTS IN HONG KONG
Enormous activities are now taking place in Hong Kong in planning its future railway network, in construction of the new airport railway, and in improving and upgrading existing
The Governor railway services, infrastructure and facilities.
of Hong Kong recently hinted that improvement of transport links with southern China will feature prominently in his. second policy speech in the coming October. For British train builders, equipment suppliers and railway consultants, the Hong Kong market is certainly worthy of close monitoring, and there will be vast opportunities for the UK railway industry now and in the years ahead. In the sections below, we attempt to highlight the current and possible future developments and activities in the rail sector both heavy and light rail in Hong Kong.
I. RAILWAY OPTIONS PROPOSED IN THE GOVERNMENT' S RAILWAY
DEVELOPMENT STUDY
A dedicated container freight railway is the top priority among the various proposals contained in the comprehensive consultancy study on Hong Kong's railway system developments up to the year 2011. This Railway Development Study is currently being put forward by the Government for public consultation which will end in July 1993. The Study proposes an ambitious HK$65 billion network planned for the future Special Administrative Region.
The future Port Rail Line will run from Kwai Chung to the border and then link up with a new Beijing-Hong Kong railroad. A section of it will go through a Tsuen Wan-Kam Tin Tunnel. The cargo rail will be built along an express passenger railway between Shams huipo and Lowu as an integral part of the "Western Corridor". The express passenger railway will branch out at Kam Tin, to seal a circuit with the existing Light Rail Transit system of the KCRC at Yuen Long and Tin Shui Wai, and further split before reaching the border to allow an alternative through-train service to enter China via Lok Ma Chau.