238 Land, Public Works and Utilities
including schools, markets, shopping centres, parks and open spaces and convenient transport links.
Railway development continued to add convenient mass transit connections between the new towns and the urban areas. The new town of Tseung Kwan O has been served by the MTR Tseung Kwan O Line since August 2002. The KCR West Rail, commissioned in December 2003, links the new towns of Tsuen Wan, Yuen Long, Tin Shui Wai and Tuen Mun with West Kowloon. The Ma On Shan Railway, which connects Wu Kai Sha in Ma On Shan with Tai Wai in Sha Tin, has a total length of about 11.4 kilometres and was commissioned in December 2004.
Engineering design and construction works on land formation and infrastructure of the development are overseen and coordinated by the CEDD.
Landscape Design and the Natural Environment
Extensive landscape works continued to be implemented in conjunction with the developments, providing a green framework to the new neighbourhoods. Trees are planted along roadsides to provide shade and colour, and attention is given to the provision and design of sitting-out areas and walkways for the enjoyment of the public. Ecological restoration works have also been undertaken in accordance with the recommendation of the environmental impact assessment studies to mitigate the impact of engineering works.
Apart from the tree planting associated with the developments, large-scale afforestation programme continued in the hinterland of the new towns and urban development areas, reducing soil erosion due to water run-off from hillsides, preventing siltation of drainage systems and enhancing the countryside. More than 10 million trees and shrubs have been planted over the last five years, with about one million planted in 2004.
Tsuen Wan
Tsuen Wan new town embraces the areas of Tsuen Wan, Kwai Chung and Tsing Yi Island, covering a total development area of about 2 400 hectares. The current population of the new town is 774 000, and is expected to rise to about 807 000 by 2013. The new town has Hong Kong's container terminals in its midst in the Kwai Chung area. In addition, construction works of the new Container Terminal 9 have substantially been completed, with its Berths 1 and 2 in operation.
Major highway projects are being constructed or planned to further extend and reinforce the main road network. Construction is proceeding on part of the Route 8 between Tsing Yi and Cheung Sha Wan, and the section of Route 9 between Shek Wai Kok and Chai Wan Kok.
Sha Tin
Sha Tin new town embraces the areas of Sha Tin and Ma On Shan. It covers a total development area of about 2 000 hectares and is already home to about 628 300 people.