WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1983
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SPACE UNDERNEATH FLYOVERS PUT TO GOOD USE
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THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON DAVID MCDONALD, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY THAT GOVERNMENT POLICY GENERALLY ALLOWED FOR SPACE UNDER FLYOVER NOT REQUIRED FOR ROADS OR PEDESTRIAN FACILITIES TO BE PUT TO OTHER USES.
HE WAS REPLYING TO QUESTIONS BY THE HON SELINA CHOW REGARDING THE USAGE OF SPACE UNDERNEATH FLYOVERS AND WHETHER SPECIFIC USES OF SUCH SPACE WERE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION IN THE INITIAL PLANNING STAGE OF FLYOVERS.
MR MCDONALD SAID, IN SELECTING THE USES TO WHICH SPACE CAN BE PUT, WE MUST ENSURE THAT THE FLYOVERS STRUCTURES WILL NOT BE DAMAGED AND ALSO THAT USERS OF THE SPACE WILL NOT BE EXPOSED TO TRAFFIC OR ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS.+
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE SPACE WAS USED MAINLY AS AMENITY AREAS, PLAYGROUNDS, VEHICLE PARKS, BUS TERMINI, PUBLIC TOILETS AND STORAGE.
MR MCDONALD SAID THAT DURING THE INITIAL PLANNING STAGES, THE MAIN CONCERN WAS FOR THE TRAFFIC REQUIREMENTS WHICH THE FLYOVER WAS INTENDED TO MEET.
BUT, HE ADDED, CONSIDERATION WAS ALSO GIVEN TO ITS COMPATABILITY WITH SURROUNDING AREAS AND TO THE SCOPE FOR MEETING COMMUNITY REQUIREMENTS IN THE PROCESS OF PLANNING AND DESIGN.
+ IN RECENT TIMES IT HAS BECOME THE PRACTICE TO CONSULT DISTRICT BOARDS ABOUT THE USE OF SPACE UNDER FLYOVERS IN THEIR RESPECTIVE DISTRICTS. THIS HAS BEEN IN RESPECT OF SPACE ALREADY EXISTING OR UNDER CONSTRUCTION.+
+HOWEVER, THE PRACTICE IS BEING EXTENDED TO INCLUDE PROJECTS UNDER PLANNING, HE ADDED.
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