XN000022-1996-05-15 — Page 38

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Reply:

Mr President,

As one of the measures to reduce traffic congestion, we support the provision of park and ride facilities at railway stations to encourage commuters to continue their trips to busy districts by public transport. Indeed, we have taken the opportunity to ensure that adequate parking facilities are included in development proposals for major stations and interchanges, for example, at the Central and Tsing Yi Stations of the Airport Railway.

An initial proposal for a commercial development at Kowloon Tong Station has been submitted by the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC) to the Town Planning Board. This proposal is being assessed in terms of land use planning, traffic, urban design and other relevant factors. No decisions have been taken. We will be consulted and will assess the feasibility of incorporating park and ride facilities in this project.

KCRC has just commenced a preliminary study on the development potential of the Sha Tin Station. No application has yet been received from the Corporation. Should the Corporation decide to redevelop this site, the provision of park and ride facilities will be examined.

End

Review of the Diesel-to-Petrol scheme

Following is a question by the Hon Leung Yiu-chung and a written reply by the Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands, Mr Bowen Leung, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

Further

The Government published the consultation paper "Cleaner Air Proposals to Reduce Emissions from Diesel Vehicles" last year to seek the views of the public on the proposed mandatory Diesel-to-Petrol (DTP) Scheme for diesel vehicles of four tonnes or below, and the consultation period expired at the end of last year. A motion was also carried by this Council on 13 December last year urging the Government to review the scheme and replace the proposed mandatory scheme with incentive measures to attract owners of diesel vehicles to change to petrol vehicles on a voluntary basis. Up to the present moment, the Government has still not released the results of the consultation and its review of the scheme. In view of this, will the Government inform this Council: