XN000022-1995-01-11 — Page 46

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Reply:

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

Mr President,

(a)

(b)

of the shortest distance between the Kowloon peninsula and the Central district as well as Wanchai on the Hong Kong Island respectively when the reclamation works are completed;

whether the existing ferry services are being affected by the reclamation works; if so, what the situation is; and when normal operation of the services can resume;

what measures are taken by the Government departments concerned and the ferry companies to avoid accidents involving vessels plying the Harbour; and

whether the Government has conducted an environmental impact assessment on how the Victoria Harbour will be affected before and after the completion of the works; if so, what the details of the

assessment are.

Upon the completion of the reclamation work, the shortest distance between Kowloon peninsula and Central will be 820 metres, that between Kowloon peninsula and Wanchai will be 880 metres. This may be slightly reduced if a helicopter landing pad is added.

There is very little affect to the one remaining ferry at West Kowloon. Reclamation works affecting Wanchai have given rise to increased journey times and a higher incidence of vessel breakdowns, mainly caused by increased debris in the sea. Ferry operators have made extra efforts to cope with the problems so as to minimise disruption to passengers, e.g., by adjusting berthing arrangements to minimise delays; exploring with engineer manufacturers on improving designs to overcome the problem of increased debris; and undertaking more frequent preventive maintenance.

The effect on the ferry services in Wanchai has been kept to the minimum by suitably arranging the sequence of works. The situation would be back to normal in mid 1996 after the reprovisioned pier facilities become available; and for Central services, in mid 1997 after completion of the current phase of Central Reclamation works. For the Jordan Road ferry service, a temporary ferry pier will be provided at the existing Government Dockyard site by Feb 96, so that the existing ferry pier can be abandoned for the reclamation works. This temporary arrangement will also allow more time to consider alternative locations of the permanent replacement ferry pier in the context of the Kowloon Point reclamation as envisaged under the Metroplan.