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GF 323
CONFIDENTIAL
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can take place within the timetable imposed by the railway construction programme because they may not be able to ensure vacant possession. It is accordingly recommended that each owner should be informed that he will be given notice on 7th August 1981 that his property will be resumed and revert to the Crown on 7th September 1981 if he is unable to guarantee the availability of the site with vacant possession by 7th November 1981 when it is required for railway works to commence. This programme allows one month's notice of resumption and two months for clearance of the. properties by 7th November 1981.
Public Reaction
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If no resumption is ordered there will of course be no public reaction to the proposal although the MTRC may well
If the.. feel aggrieved at the decision of Government. resumption has to be ordered at a later date to comply with the Island Line programme some adverse comment may be made in the media. Any criticism of Government's decision is however unlikely to be sustained!
If the resumption is ordered for no other reason than to enable the Corporation to enter into a more profitable deal with an interested consortium, public symathy would. undoubtedly lie with the owners, given their willingness to develop the site and apparent ability to meet the MIRC's technical requirements and timetable. Under such circumstances, Government would be faced with carrying out an unpalatable clearance which would be difficult to defend. The resumption would also result in adverse criticism of the MTRC at a time.... when it is about to embark on construction of the Island Line and needs public support if it is to succeed in its objectives. The owners have also indicated that, having established their ability to combine ownership and undertake a joint redevelop- ment, they would take legal advice with a view to opposing resumption proceedings. Although it is difficult to see how they could succeed, any such court action would be likely to attract unfavourable attention in the news media.
Publicity, t
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Publicity will not be required at this stage if, as Neither will any recommended, the resumption is not ordered. publicity be given, other than the publication of the usual notice in the Gazette, if the resumption is ordered because the owners are unable to meet the development programme of the MTRC. However should criticism arise, the Government in conjunction with the Corporation will take steps to counter it with the argument that every effort was made to enable the owners to join in the development of the site,
CONFIDENTIAL ##
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