CO129-618-7 Port Adminstation Inquiry Committee- report and minutes of meetings 1-1-1945 - 31-12-1946 — Page 116

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XVI.

The construction of a new Air Port for civil flying at Deep Bay recommended by me in 1939 should now be carefully considered before any reconstruction at Kai Tak is put in hand. It is understood that the extensive work done under Japanese control is but of a temporary nature. If report is correct the runways are not designed to carry the heavy loads of large modern aircraft and the diversion nullah walls show signs of collapse in places already. Because of the extraordinary length of runways now required extending to 3,000 yds. and more, I am inclined to think that Kai Tak should be abandoned as an air port. Not only on flying grounds however, do I believe this necessary, but because the ultimate development of Kowloon and of the Harbour lies in an Easterly direction, in the region of Kun Tong, and if Kai Tak remains the site of the air port, the Colony will eventually be saddled with a bottleneck not inferior to that now in existence in Queen's Road between Murray Road and Arsenal Street the removal of which is so urgently necessary. As Squadron Leader Faber has suggested to me, it is possible to jump this difficulty by constructing a wide causeway across Kowloon Bay to provide road and rail acoess to Kun Tong but only at considerable expense. The whole matter is urgent but requires very careful consideration.

XVII.

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

A. Nicol, Port Engineer, 18.9.45