Monday, May 21, 1973
This first section of the line will enable operating experience to be
gained before it is opened to public use.
Site preparation at Kowloon Bay will involve reclamation work,
construction of culverte and raising the land level by several feet.
Vacation of the site by its present occupiers is due by mid-June
so that preparatory formation work can begin on schedule.
Mr. Wilkins said that the mass transit planners had faced great
difficulties in deciding where the main depot should be situated due to the
scarcity of suitably shaped areas of level ground.
"If it had been at all possible an unoccupied site would have been
chosen," he said.
"However, extensive surveys made it clear that Kowloon Bay was the
only suitable area for the main depot and even this site imposes limitations
on the space available for the development of the depot."
Inevitably the mass transit scheme will involve some clearance
operations, he said, but these will only be undertaken when there is no alternative.
"Taking into account the tremendous size of the project, and the many
thousands of people who will benefit, there will be relatively few clearances,
and this can be regarded as a significant achievement," Mr. Wilkins added.
"Our aim is to avoid causing any more dislocation then is necessary,
in order to minimise inconvenience to those who will be affected."
Note to Editors:
Copies of a photograph showing an artist's impression of the depot will be boxed this evening,
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