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The case of Liverpool and Birkenhead naturally comes to mind, although there is there a great volume of shipping and more through traffio: but it will be remembered that Liverpool after having for many years a railway (subsequently electrified) tunnel, more recently added a road Tunnel * and has continued the Ferries and docking
facilities.
The engineering problems require to be further investigated and the cost brought into relation with the economic position of the Colony: but sooner or later the Tunnel must be constructed.
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The following are some of the planning consider- ations. There must be facilities for pedestrians as well as motor cars (this is not provided in the Liverpool Tunnel). There should also be electric trains, either on a narrow gauge (like the London Tubes) giving direct access to the general station at Kowloon (on its new location); or, if the main line were electrified, it might be possible to run trains direct from the New Territories into Hong Kong, with great advantage for (a) farm and fishing produce, (b) for recreation from the crowded urban centres.
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The exits will require most careful planning, with escalators as well as the sloping ramp for cars: this will form the real gateway to Hong Kong. On the Kowloon side it will be desirable to plan a triple entrance (a) for passengers at Tsim Sha Tsui (b) for the Kowloon Docks (c) for the underground connection to the new railway station at Yau Ma Ti.
64 The Tunnel will be something much more than an underground traffic link. It will be the symbol of the unity of interests of the Colony it is impossible to predict all the effects which it may have, but provided strong planning control both for use of land and for direction of traffic is exercised, it is difficult to see in what way it can be other than beneficial.
8. Railway.
The railway proposals are drastic but can be carried out with a minimum of destruction of property : more detailed investigation of levels will of course be required, especially in connection with the goods rail to the Kowloon Wharves.
bi
The main suggestions are as follows : the elimination of the line from Kak Lung Tong, south of the Tunnel, to the main station at the tip of Kowloon. The use to which the abandoned line can be put has already been mentioned.
The line forks just south of the tunnel, the western arm being carried across Nathan Road, on the angle of Nullah Road, and along the reclaimed front of the Yau Ma Tai Typhoon harbour as far as Public Square Street. Here the new Main Station will be located at something less than ten feet above street level. A station here would be as convenient as at the tip of Kowloon, provided it were connected by rail through the Tunnel with the centre of Hong Kong. It would also require ultimately a direct connection with Jordan Road
which also can take a main line railway.