5.37
5.38
seabed so that some of the material previously deposited was once again removed and depths in some areas returned to those recorded in 1954. Depths of silting recorded since 1955 are shown on Drawing 13.
As the reclamation of Gin Drinker's Bay proceeds there is no sign of this channel silting up and this no doubt is due to the continued action of the tide through the gap and to the completion in 1966 of a box culvert which diverts to the north of Mong Chau, the main drainage of the area. When the reclamation of the bay nears completion then it is likely that the flow through the gap will be too slow to keep the channel scoured and it will once again start silting up. The rate at which this will occur will depend largely on the silt load of the water flowing through Rambler Channel and on whether or not the align- ment of the Terminal quaywall chosen causes an eddy to form on the ebb tide to the south east of Tsing Chau. In the area off Mong Chau soundings taken recently together with the latest Admiralty chart compared with old Admiralty charts and soundings taken in 1954 indicate that silting of about 1 ft. may have occurred since the formation of the refuse dump.
From the foregoing it can be seen that the material of the seabed especially close to Tsing Chau is sensitive to change but provided protection against scouring is included in the design of the quay structures or a limited commitment to maintenance dredging is accepted then these factors should not influence greatly the choice of quaywall alignment. If an analysis is needed of where maintenance dredging would be required or where scouring would occur, then further observations over an extended period and model tests would be necessary.
Desalination Plant
5.39
5.40
5.41
The Waterworks Office may need to construct a desalination plant at Kwai Chung at some time in the future and P.W.D. Land Conference has decided that the requirement for about 10 acres should be borne in mind when planning the site for the Container Terminal. It has been necessary therefore to consider the location and formation of a suitable area in conjunction with the Container Terminal.
In discussions with Messrs. Binnie & Partners, consultants for the desalination plant, the following points were agreed:-
(a) That the best location would be on the south-east side of Tsing Chau.
(b) That the outfall should be kept as far away as possible so as to reduce interference
with berthing operations to a minimum.
It is not certain at this stage whether Kwai Chung will be used for a desalination plant, the choice between it and another area depending on more detailed investigations, particu- larily on relative site-formation costs. It is necessary, therefore, to consider the layout and construction of the Container Terminal both with and without a desalination plant.
Mass Transport Railway
5.42
5.43
The Mass Transport Study Report recommended that the Tsuen Wan Line of the proposed railway should run through the site for the Container Terminal with For Kong station and the branch line to the Kwai Chung Maintenance Depot also sited there. It is necessary to ensure that construction of the Container Terminal would not interfere with this railway.
This section of the railway is at present planned to be elevated, with a rail level of about +40 ft. P.D. except for part of the branch to the Maintenance Depot which is planned to be ramped down to ground level within the area for the Container Terminal. The Mass Transport Study Report envisaged columns at 80-ft. centres supporting the elevated track while clearance would be about 19 ft. above ground level.
5.44 Normally buildings would not be permitted within a 70-ft.-wide reserve along the line of the railway and this could be used for roads, gardens etc. However single-storey sheds might be allowed within this reserve, provided that they would not produce fire hazards or frustrate construction and maintenance of the railway; each case would be considered on its own merits.
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