Co-ordination and Planning
13.12
Because of the complex nature of the project, its far-reaching effects and the need to avoid delay, the views of other Government departments were sought via a series of committees. These included :-
(a)
(b)
(c)
(a)
(e)
13.13
The Station and Transport Integration Committee, which was responsible for the planning of station layouts with particular reference to the integration of other transport services to ensure adequate interchange facilities where practicable. A total of 16 meetings was held throughout the year, at which layouts for 19 stations were agreed and approved.
The Land Acquisition Co-ordinating Committee, which was formed to resolve problems arising in obtaining possession of land needed for the construction of the Initial System and planning the resettlement of persons affected. A total of 25 meetings was held during the year, during which the problems associated with some sites were identified and solved.
The Utilities Co-ordinating Group, which vetted proposals for utility diversions necessary prior to and during the Initial System. The Consulting Engineers commenced the planning of utility diversions in November 1973 and regular meetings of a sub-committee at approximately weekly intervals were held to resolve the associated problems. After agreement in sub-committee formal plans for the diversions including estimates were submitted to the full committee for approval. The Committee held 8 formal meetings during the year and approved plans for 9 sub-sections of the Initial System.
The Safety and Security Co-ordinating Committee, which was responsible for the safety and security aspects of the railway, its construction and operation. Seven meetings of the Committee were held during the year, during which virtually the whole of the system was vetted.
A committee known as the Traffic Management Group was set up within the Highways Office organisation to examine the traffic implications of the construction programme. A total of 26 meetings was held and strategic traffic plans for the Nathan Road, Cheung Sha Wan and Diamond Hill areas formulated and agreed. The group made progress on the detailed planning and implementation of the strategic plan for the northern part of Nathan Road.
Work continued on the identification of land required for the construction of the Mass Transit Railway. After sites had been identified, processed through L.A.C.C. and approved by P.W.D. Conference, negotiations were held with the parties concerned to acquire or lease the sites concerned. By the end of the year, negotiations on 62 of the 72 sites so far identified had been completed.
13.14
Examination of public and private development proposals adjacent to the M.T.R. routes continued to ensure that the construction of the railway would not be frustrated. A total of 73 such proposals was examined and in
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