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TAC welcomed way forward for Railway Priority Projects
The Transport Advisory Committee (TAC) today (Tuesday) welcomed the government's decision to implement the Western Corridor Railway (WCR) in phases and to proceed with the detailed planning and design of the Tseung Kwan O Extension.
Members supported the decision to construct the domestic passenger line of WCR first as there is an urgent need for a rail link to service the rapidly growing population in the North West New Territories.
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The domestic passenger line phase I of the WCR would comprise of a domestic passenger line running from West Kowloon via Tsuen Wan, Kam Tin, Yuen Long and Tin Shui Wai to Tuen Mun.
TAC also noted that provision such as reinforced tracks and higher tunnels etc. would be made during construction of Phase I to accommodate the cross border passenger and freight services at a later date.
As for the Tseung Kwan O Extension, members noted that there was a clear need to extend the MTR to Tseung Kwan O which was forecast to have a population of 250,000 by 2001 and 450,000 by 2011.
Members also welcomed the government's decision to invited MTR to build the Quarry Bay Congestion Relief Works to relieve congestion that had been rapidly building up at Quarry Bay station.
Members also discussed the comments submitted by a TAC working group which met four times since August 1996 to examine in depth the Territorial Development Strategy Review's recommendations relating to transport issues.
After discussion, members agreed that views of the Working Group would be conveyed to the Planning Department as part of its public consultation exercise.
The working group's comments was that town planning in the future should emphasise on vision, flexibility and far-sightedness. Objective of the review should aim at strengthening Hong Kong's competitiveness with other cities in China and the Asia Pacific region by establishing useful linkages with other cities or provinces in China.
Members were also briefed by the Tate's Cairn Tunnel Company on a business and marketing plan which included proposals to increase the company's revenue, including non-toll revenue, reduce expenses, improve services and a long-term strategy for financial management.
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