XN000022-1996-07-03 — Page 23

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Motion debate on Western Corridor Railway

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Following is a speech by the Secretary For Transport, Mr Gordon Siu, on the motion debate on the Western Corridor Railway moved by the Hon Ngan Kam-chuen in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Mr President,

I am grateful to the Hon Ngan Kam-chuen for initiating this motion debate on the Western Corridor Railway (WCR) and to the Members who have spoken on the subject. Members' comments reflect a clear wish to see the WCR built in a speedy and cost effective manner. This sentiment is fully shared by Government. Let me bring Members up to date on where we stand with this project.

Government's Commitment to the WCR

This railway, which

The WCR is a priority project for Government, accommodates a passenger service between northwest New Territories and the urban area; a cross border passenger service; and a freight service will provide much needed transport capacity to the NWNT, ease road congestion and enhance our transportation links with China.

We are committed to embarking on all necessary planning and preparatory work with a view to the speedy implementation of the project.

On the make-up of the railway, I would like to re-assure Hon Selina Chow that we have always envisaged the WCR to be a freight/passenger line.

Background

There have been comments that Government is not serious about proceeding with the project, or that we are delaying it. Neither is true. If one looks at what has happened, it will become clear that we are going through a process, not delaying it.

In 1991 Government commissioned a Railway Development Study to establish a framework for planning the future expansion of the territory's rail network. In 1993 we conducted an extensive public consultation exercise based on the study. In 1994 Government announced the Railway Development Strategy (RDS). The WCR is one of the three priority projects in the RDS.