CO129-592-10 Future Policy in Hong Kong- Port Administration 10-4-1946 - 15-4-1947 — Page 238

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that all smoke, dirt and noise of railway operation with the exception of that due to a link to Holt'e Wharf which cannot be dispensed with, is removed from the Chatham Road reclama- tion which could then be laid out as an attractive garden. With regard to the smoke and noise nuisance, it is useless to point out that the owners of the apartment blocks front- ing on Chatham Road have no legal grounds for complaint. Government would appear to be partly to blame in permitting this class of development to have taken place on Chatham Road without fully considering the effects of the direction of the prevailing winds which blow for about 75% of each year in the sector N.E. through E. to S.E. and which are bound to aggravate any smoke nuisance set up immediately East of Chatham Road. When considering the social amenities of the neighbourhood, it would now seem imperative to grasp the possibility of eliminating what has undoubtedly come to be considered a nuisance.

XIV. The proposal to construct a second vehicles ferry was made to Sir David at the time when investigations into a cross cross harbour subaqueous tunnel were in hand. Although Sir David knew of this proposal the investigations had not advanced sufficiently far to permit of his incorporating any reference to the proposal in his report. It is likely that the existing vehicles ferry, once it is reconditioned and put in operation again, will serve the needs of the traffic for some 5 - 10 years but the cross harbour traffic proposal should meantime be exhaustively examined and careful studies made not only of a subaqueous tunnel but of an alternative high level bridge.

V. It is obvious that the K.C.R. and the interests of the Port are closely linked together. The Railway cannot function without the Port and suitable rail connections are necessary to the various harbour undertakings in Kowloon and will become much more important in the future. It becomes essential therefore that no scheme of harbour development on the mainland be approved without due consideration being given to its railway

connections. In course of time it may be desirable to combine the

ntrol of both the Harbour and the Railway which, it seems, 18 stined to become more and more a feeder for the Harbour.

The construction of a new Air Port for civil flying at Deep recommended by me in 1939 should now be carefully considered ore any reconstruction at Kal Tak is put in hand. It is erstood that the extensive work done under Japanese control is of a temporary nature. If report is correct the runways are designed to carry the heavy loads of large modern aircraft and diversion nullah walls show signs of collapse in places pady. Because of the extraordinary length of runways now

ired extending to 3,000 yds. and more, I am inclined to think

Kal Tak should be abandoned as an air port. Not only on ng grounds however, do I believe this necessary, but because

itimate development of Kowloon and of the Harbour lies in

terly direction, in the region of Kun Tong, and if Kai Tak emains the site of the air port, the colony will eventually be

ddled with a bottle neck not inferior to that now in existence

Queen's Road between Murray Road and Arsenal Street the moval of which is so urgently necessary. As Squadron Leader

er has suggested to me, it is possible to jump this difficulty constructing a wide causeway across Kowloon Bay to provide 1 and rail access to Kun Tong but only at considerable expense.

whole matter is urgent but requires very careful consideration.

I shall be happy to discuss with the authorities at home any is in connection with these matters that may arise during my

gming leave.

A. Nicol Port Engineer

18.9.45.