46 -
Redevelopment of Kwun Tong bus depot
Following is a question by the Hon Fred Li Wah-ming and a written reply by the Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands, Mr Bowen Leung, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Question:
It is learnt that the Kowloon Motor Bus Company Limited (KMB) is negotiating with the Government the redevelopment plan of its depot in How Ming Street, Kwun Tong, and that the KMB intends to rent the vacant site in the neighbourhood of Shun Lee Estate for use as its temporary depot during the redevelopment period. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a)
(b)
(c)
of the number of bus parking spaces the KMB plans to provide in the redeveloped How Ming Street depot, and what is the number of parking spaces which the Government requires the KMB to provide;
whether the Government intends to carry out an environmental assessment to examine if the site near Shun Lee Estate is suitable for constructing a temporary depot before deciding whether the site should be leased; if not, why not; and
whether the Government will consult the Kwun Tong District Board and local residents about leasing the site near Shun Lee Estate to the KMB for use as a temporary depot; if so, when such consultation will take place; if not, why not?
Answer:
Mr President,
(a) KMB's proposed re-development is still being considered by the Government. In this connection, KMB has also applied for a short term tenancy near Shun Lee Estate to facilitate its redevelopment project. However, the release of this temporary site to KMB will be considered in conjunction with the redevelopment proposal. The existing depot provides 159 bus parking spaces, mainly for parking 2-axle double deck buses. According to the proposal, the new development will provide 215 bus parking spaces, including 146 for 3-axle double deck buses, 63 for medium coaches and 6 for small coaches. The proposed provision will meet the Government's requirement for KMB's overnight bus parking in East Kowloon.