TNAG-0956-FCO40-1175-Legislation-for-road-improvements-in-Hong-Kong-1980 — Page 6

G.S. 84

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XCR(80)91

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Objection from the Rev. the Honourable Joyce M. Bennett (Annex F)

16.

The Rev. the Hon. Joyce M. Bennett, of St. Catherine's School for Girls, 26 Hong Lee Road, Kwun Tong which is shown on the plan at Annex C immediately south of Kung Lok Road, has objected to the proposed road closure, because it will deprive the walkers of the pedestrian short cut between the Ngok Yue Shan, Kung Lok Road area of Kwun Tong and Jordan Valley Estate, unless some alternative pathway is kept open. She has suggested that the pathway which is shown by a broken green line on the plan at Annex C should be improved. As explained in paragraph 7 above the whole of the route is in good condition for walking and is paved except where it crosses the temporary playground marked 'park' on the plan at Annex C. The surface of the temporary playground is flat, sound and hard and the sub-soil is believed to be very hard and unlikely to get muddy. Nevertheless, the Housing Department will arrange to lay a temporary footpath on an alignment which will avoid interference with the temporary use of the area as a playground and which can be furt her improved if necessary when the Urban Council eventually develops the area for recreational cycling.

17.

As the objection is being met by the construction of a temporary footpath, it is recommended that this objection should not be upheld.

Recommendation

18.

It is recommended that the objections referred to in paragraphs 9 to 17 above should not be upheld and that the proposed undertaking, as illustrated in the plan at Annex A, be authorized without modification.

Public reaction

19.

By the time the closure is implemented the number of residents remaining in the Ngau Tau Kok Cottage area will be very small. Moreover the improvement to the alternative pedestrian route should soften some of the objections on that score. It is not therefore expected that the closure will generate much controversy.

Publicity

20.

Only low-key publicity is felt appropriate. Notification of the authorisation of the closure will be published in the Gazette and written replies will be sent to objectors.

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