222
HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT
is an overall increase of 4,018 over 1955 and is the greatest annual increase ever recorded. There is now a density of 63 vehicles for every mile of roadway.
Private cars
Motor cycles
Taxis
Buses
Goods vehicles
Crown vehicles
Rickshas
Pedal tricycles
19,591
1,783
627
644
3,821
870
877
791
29,004
CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL AND BRIDGE
After considering the conclusions of an Inter-departmental Working Party appointed to examine the question of a Cross- Harbour Tunnel between Hong Kong and Kowloon on the basis of a report by Messrs. Mott, Hay and Anderson, Con- sulting Engineers, published in 1955, the Government announced in July 1956, that it had decided in present circumstances not to undertake the construction of such a tunnel, and that this decision also applied to a cross-harbour bridge. Instead immediate consideration is being given to the provision of a second cross-harbour vehicular ferry service. The Working Party's report and Government's later announcement excited considerable public comment.
CIVIL AVIATION
Hong Kong Airport (Kai Tak), situated at the base of the Kowloon Peninsula, is suitable for both land and sea aircraft. Its two existing runways lie N.W.-S.E. and E. - W., being 5,418′ and 4,756′ in length respectively. The Airport at present operates on a dawn to dusk basis, night operations being restricted to emergency only due to topographical hazards and limited visual and radio navigational aids. The