XN000022-1975-12-23 — Page 6

5.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1975

SNT REPLIES TO SHA TIN SHOPOWNERS INVOLVED IN CLEARANCE ******

THE DEVELOPMENT OF SHA TIN IS DESIGNED TO BENEFIT PEOPLE LIVING IN VERY POOR HOUSING CONDITIONS+, THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, HR. DAVID AKERS-JONES HAS TOLD REPRESENTATIVES OF SHA TÎN MARKET SHOP PROPRIETORS INVOLVED IN A CLEARANCE OPERATION TO BE CARRIED OUT IN JUNE NEXT YEAR.

THE CLEARANCE, WHICH AFFECTS 28 SHOPS, IS TO FACILITATE THE WIDENING OF TAI PO ROAD AND SHA TIN'S CONTINUING DEVELOPMENT INTO A LARGE MODERN TOUN WHERE CLOSE TO HALF A MILLION PEOPLE WILL BE LIVING AND WORKING EVENTUALLY. THE ROAD VIDENING VILL IMPROVE LINKS BETWEEN SHA TIN AND TAI PO.

MR. AKERS-JONES, IN A LETTER SENT TODAY (TUESDAY)

THE SAID; +! HAVE TO REITERATE THE IMPORTANCE I ATTACH TO DEVELOPMENT OF SIA TIN WHICH IS DESIGNED TO BRING BENEFIT TO A GREAT MANY PEOPLE LIVING IN VERY POOR HOUSING CONDITIONS. THAT SOME 28 SHOPS WILL NOW HAVE TO BE CLEARED TO ALLOW THIS DEVELOPMENT TO PROCEED WITHOUT DELAY IS UNAVOIDABLE,+

THE NEW TERRITORIES SECRETARY WAS REPLYING TO A LETTER FROM THE REPRESENTATIVES DATED DECEMBER 1 IN WHICH AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE WIDENING OF TAI PO ROAD THE WIDENING OF SHA TIN BY-PASS ROAD - WAS SUGGESTED. POINTING OUT THAT SHA TIN BY-PASS ROAD WAS ALREADY DUE TO BE WIDENED, MR. AKERS-JONES SAID THAT THIS IMPROVEMENT ALONE WILL NOT BE SUFFICIENT TO COPE WITH THE INCREASED VOLUME OF TRAFFIC ENVISAGED IN TWO YEARS TIME.+

THE WIDENING HAD TO START AS SCHEDULED IN EARLY 1976 IN ORDER TO FIT IN WITH THE TIMING OF THE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMIE. ANY DELAY WOULD CREATE DELAYS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE PLAN AND BE DETRIMENTAL TO SHA TIN'S GROWTH INTO A NEW TOWN.

THE REPRESENTATIVES' LETTER ALSO RAISED THE SUBJECT OF LOSS OF LIVELIHOOD, BUT MR. AKERS-JONES SAID THIS WOULD BE MINIMISED DUE TO +SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS+ WHEREBY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HAD AGREED TO A RESTRICTED TENDER FOR SHOPS AT LEK YUEN ESTATE IN SHA TIN. BESIDES ELIGIBILITY FOR THE RESTRICTED TENDER, COMPENSATION WILL ALSO BE PAID TO THE HOPOWNERS.

THE SHOPKEEPERS' LETTER SUGGESTED THAT THE LANDOWNER BE GRANTED LAND FOR COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT. MR. AKERS- JONES' REPLY HOWEVER STATED THAT LAND FOR PRIVATE COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT WAS DISPOSED OF BY PUBLIC AUCTION, OPEN TENDER OR EXCHANGE.

/+LAND IS