CO129-608-7 Future policy- Report on Port Administration by Sir David Owen 24-2-1941 - 24-2-1941 — Page 75

81

a

23-

A point however arises in connexion with the Star Ferry pier at Kowloon. The existing site is not quite suitable and is congested, hence an idea has been put forward to build a new pier as shown on the plan attached. This scheme has much to favour it, but it might well be left over for consideration at some future time when the congestion becomes greater.

The scheme of reclamation between the junction of Queen Victoria Street with Connaught Road and the junction of Murray Road with Connaught Road, already referred to, when carried out will displace the Star Ferry Company's pier at the end of Ice House Street. In this case the same policy as for other piers should be applied. The Harbour Trust could construct the new ferry pier or the Ferry Company could do so themselves, as might be negotiated, the rent being fixed accordingly.

With regard to the Jubilee Street ferry pier which is used by the Yaumati Ferry Company for their vehicular ferry service,

it appears that the existing service is becoming unable to oope adequately with the great number of vehicles that desire to cross the ferry at times. This leads to delay and congestion to traffic in the vicinity, which would be intensified by any growth in the passenger traffic. Coupled with this is the fact that in the event of extensive repairs being required to the existing pier a stoppage of the service might ooour. Further the present pier is in a somewhat exposed position which makes it difficult to handle the vehicular ferry boats at certain states of the tide, especially when a north easterly wind is blowing. The ferry company are alive to all this and the remedy they propose is the provision of another pier for the vehicular service adjoining each of the present ones. On the other hand, it has been suggested that it would be better if the new pier were placed in another position Marsh Road, Wanchai, for a service to run from there to a pier to be constructed at Gillies Avenue, Hung Hom. This would have the effect of dissipating the traffic. The ferry company prefer their own proposal as they state the other idea would make the service more oostly to run seeing that it would involve more ferry boats.

at

Taking everything into consideration, I am of opinion that it would be more advantageous in the public interest if a new pier for the vehicular ferry service were provided at Marsh Road, together with one on the opposite side of the Harbour at Gillies Avenue, (both of which sites are less exposed to westerly winds) notwithstanding any extra cost of operating the services. The proposed piers are shown on the attached plan.

It has been pointed out to me that objection to a second pier adjoining the present one at Jubilee Street has been made by the owners of Douglas Pier, on the ground that the berthing of their ships would be rendered more difficult. Whatever may be the merits of this complaint, the difficulty would not arise if the suggested position at Marsh Road were adopted for the ferry pier. The difficulty of the Douglas Company in any case would be disposed of if the development recommended in paragraph 88 were carried out.

The proposed pier opposite Marsh Road would incidentally have the effect of affording some protection to the western entrance to Causeway Bay from heavy seas caused by westerly gales. The provision of such protection has been under consideration for some years, but before any additional measures in this direction are taken the effect of the pier should be observed.