TNAG-0936-FCO40-1155-Visit-of-Norman-Fowler--Minister-of-Transport--to-Hong-Kong--1980 — Page 34

surveillance and control system incorporating gantry signals, special signing, electronic vehicle detection, closed circuit television and

GEC and a large scale vehicle recovery service (total cost £7m). Plessey are well qualified to carry out this work. The Hong Kong Government support the proposals in principle: the scheme will be put into the Public Works Programme after endorsement by the Transport Policy Committee. The TCC Overseas Unit is closely in touch with

developments.

RAIL TRANSPORT

The Mass Transit Railway (MTR

The MTR system is intended to relieve increasing road congestion in the Colony. In 1975 the Government issued tenders for the £700m first-stage linking the Central District of Hong Kong Island with Kwun Tong in Kowloon. British firms secured 25% of the contracts, including the most important one for the supply of 140 rail cars which was won by Metro Cammell (with GEC as principal sub-contractor). Het Cam also secured an option for the supply of a further 70 cars which was subsequently taken up.

In 1978, the Hong Kong Government gave the go ahead for a 10.7 km extension to the growing town of Tsuen Wan, (total cost £500m). UK firms have again picked up a substantial share of the contracts including the key rolling stock contract 150 cars, (worth about £50m) with an option for a further 70 - which again was won by liet

Other UK successes Cam in spite of fierce Japanese competition. included a £10m power supply contract to GEC and a £7.5m signalling contract to Westinghouse. Henry Boot secured a £8m trackworks contract against local and Japanese competition. awarded to the Japanese. The total project is within budget and slightly ahead of programme. The rolling stock contracts in particular have been a major success for the UK and the "shop window" gained by Metro Cammell puts them in a very strong position to bid for the next major overseas project of this type the proposed Singapore Mass Transit which may go ahead in 1981/82.

Civil works were

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