GF 323
XCC(80)137
CONFIDENTIAL
(11) Public Reaction
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My
機密
The adoption of comprehensive public transport plans; which include a mass transit railway, for the Island Corridor would be welcomed by the public and regarded as a major step towards alleviating traffic problems on the Island. The travelling public appreciates the speed and comfort of the MTR and the abandonment of a strategy based on an on-street Light Rail Transit system would appeal to such road users as private motorists and goods vehicle operators. The high level of capital investment and the forward planning required would also be seen as a further indication of confidence in the long term future of Hong Kong.
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Adverse reaction might be expected from those persons whose businesses would be affected by the proposed alignment of the Island Line. People who would have to leave their homes because of the railway con- struction works would be likely to express concern about the terms offered for the acquisition of their properties and about their eventual rehousing. Individual cases might well be taken up by pressure groups. Some allegations might also be expected about preferential treatment for the MTRC in regard to certain sites granted to the Corporation for property development. But it is expected that such views would not be supported. Once construction: commenced, the public would complain about any dirt and noise caused by the work. But the bored tunnelling (as opposed to cut-and-cover) technique would ensure that the scale of both the problems and the complaints would be small in comparison with the MIS/TWE experience. A very small number of the proposed work sites would be on side streets and in one or two cases there would be conflict between pedestrians, traffic and construction vehicles. The overall situation would, however, be very much better than and, indeed, bear no comparison with that arising from the construction of the MIS or the TWE.
(12) Publicity
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Full publicity including a press conference would be arranged to explain the various measures. Spokesmen would stress that these measures together constituted a coherent and comprehensive public transport strategy for the Island Corridor. In addition to media publicity, the City District Commissioner (Hong Kong) and the appropriate City District Officers would arrange for the proposals to be explained to residents at the district level.
(13) Advice Sought
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Members are invited:
(a) to note the plans for an Island Corridor public passenger
transport system as set out in paragraph 23 of this memorandum; and, subject to the acceptance by the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council of the financial implications involved,
CONFIDENTIAL ##
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