TNAG-0938-FCO40-1157-Visit-of-John-Nott--Secretary-of-State-for-Trade--to-Hong-Ko-1980 — Page 83

BRIEF 11

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ISLAND CORRIDOR EXTENSION TO MASS TRANSIT

CURRENT INTERESTS

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Plans have been announced for the development of a mass

The transit system on the northern side of Hong Kong Island. Mass Transit Railway Corporation (MTRC) is backing the idea of an underground extension to the MTR. Originally this idea was rejected as being too expensive in comparison to the LRV system recommended by the UK based consultants Martin and Vorhees Associates. MTRC is confident, however, that the price of the underground solution can be brought down by taking into account the anticipated revenue from property development about the underground stations.

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Metro Cammell will pursue whichever system is chosen and will probably collaborate with a European tram car maker (possibly Duwag) if the choice is the LRV.

The Hong Kong Government is expected to make its decision in October 1980.

TUEN MUN LIGHT RAILWAY

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The Hong Kong Government has asked the Kowloon Wharf and Godown Company Ltd (which owns Hong Kong Tramways Ltd) to build and operate a 25km tram network based on the new town of Tuen Mun in the extreme west of the New Territories. A 17km system would be built initially with an 8km extension to Yuen Long following later. The first stage is to be completed by 1983.

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The consultancy contract for the project has been awarded to Electrowatt of Switzerland. Met Cam have been leading a UK consortium in pursuit of a turnkey contract but there have been signs recently that the Hong Kong Government are looking at the project again as part of a comprehensive system covering the whole of the north-west area of the New Territories, and it is possible they may decide to expand and develop bus services in the region instead.