XN000022-1989-05-31 — Page 19

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 1989

MR LEUNG POINTED OUT THAT SOME CONGESTION

WAS INEVITABLE AND THAT THE TASK AHEAD WAS TO KEEP IT WITHIN ACCEPTABLE LIMITS IN TERMS OF TIME AND COST TO THE COMMUNITY.

HE SAID BETTER CO-ORDINATION OF LAND USE AND TRANSPORT PLANNING WOULD HELP REDUCE PRESSURE ON THE TRANSPORT SYSTEM. THIS WOULD REQUIRE THE FULLEST CO-OPERATION BETWEEN TRANSPORT AND TOWN PLANNERS.

"THIS MEANS. FOR EXAMPLE. LOCATING EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES CLOSE TO RESIDENTIAL AREAS. PLACING PORT AND FREIGHT TERMINALS NEAR WAREHOUSES AND INDUSTRIES. AND REDUCING THE DENSITY OF LAND DEVELOPMENT, HE SAID.

F

MR LEUNG ALSO CALLED ON THE COMMUNITY TO PLAY AN ACTIVE ROLE IN REDUCING PEAK HOUR CONGESTION BY, FOR EXAMPLE, SUPPORTING A GREATER USE OF FLEXI-TIME AND STAGGERED WORKING HOURS.

"THE GOVERNMENT IS KEEN TO EXPLORE ANY SUCH METHODS TO REDUCE THE NEED FOR REGULATION AND RESTRAINTS. THUS ONE OF THE MAIN PURPOSES OF THE CONSULTATION IS TO FIND OUT HOW THE COMMUNITY CAN HELP AND WHAT PRACTICAL INCENTIVES GOVERNMENT CAN PROVIDE ΤΟ BRING THIS ABOUT." HE SAID.

MR LEUNG SAID THE GREEN PAPER ONLY SET OUT POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVES IN TACKLING THE TRANSPORT PROBLEMS IN THE NEXT DECADE.

"THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS PUBLIC VIEWS TO HELP DETERMINE THE PRACTICABILITY AND ACCEPTABILITY OF THESE ALTERNATIVES AND WELCOMES ANY SUGGESTIONS ON OTHER OPTIONS.' HE ADDED.

MR LEUNG HOPED THE GREEN PAPER WOULD GENERATE FULL AND CONSTRUCTIVE PUBLIC DEBATE AND DISCUSSIONS SO THAT A BALANCED TRANSPORT STRATEGY COULD BE FINALISED AFTER THE CONSULTATION PERIOD ENDING SEPTEMBER 30.

FOUR-MONTH

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