TNAG-0841-FCO40-1050-Visit-of-Sir-Murray-MacLehose--Governor-of-Hong-Kong--to-Chi-1979 — Page 194

Answer

CONFIDENTIAL

5.

Possibilities of a spur line

The recent consultants study into the modernization of the railway (by Transmark) ruled that construction of a spur was technically extremely difficult, and the General Manager, Railway, concurs with this advice. The terrain

presents extreme problems. Most of the line would have to be in tunnel and would be prohibitively expensive. In addition, construction of container terminal facilities would

be required on both the Hong Kong and the Chinese sides, plus container carrying wagons. Meanwhile, there are no indications that two-way traffic, to make this worthwhile, will develop.

Space at Hung Hom

13.

This would

It is most unlikely that adequate space could be made available at Hung Hom (where terminal facilities are already stretched) for a container terminal. require both sidings and a container stocking area. Nor is there any suitable site elsewhere adjacent to the railway line. At present, containerized freight traffic with China has not appeared as a practicable proposition. Costs and tariffs would be extremely high and most of the benefit would go to the Chinese side. Possibilities can be looked into in more detail if this becomes something worth pursuing.

Road Communications

Question

14.

traffic?

: Chinese Plans

Do we know of any Chinese plans to expand road If so, is it to Kwangchow or just to the area

south of the East River?

CONFIDENTIAL

/contd