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The planned expansion of the cargo, maintenance, and long-term parking aprons in the north-east corner of Kai Tak on land approved for the purpose by the Executive Council in 1979 will go some way towards meeting the demand for aircraft parking. (Though there are some environmental problems which may be difficult to overcome
see paragraph 9 below.)
to
However, the area available there will not
not be sufficient meet total demand, nor are there alternative areas available within Kai Tak. It is proposed therefore that an area of the Kowloon Bay reclamation be reserved for aircraft parking and other airport uses. Access to this area would be gained by reclamation of the present Kai Tak nullah. This would allow the present separation between the runway and the taxiway to be increased thus improving safety and meeting accepted international norms. The new taxiway would be constructed as an emergency runway for use in case the main runway is blocked. The need for this additional area for airport development will be considered as part of the Kai Tak consultancy study proposed at paragraph 11 below. Pending the consultant's report Government will take the necessary administrative measures to ensure that the land remains. available for eventual airport use. It will be appropriate for the consultancy to consider whether it would be feasible to reclaim the western side of the taxiway and runway as a parking apron area and for ancillary airport services.
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It should be noted that the residents of Richland Gardens,
a development to the northeast of the airport, have recently complained about the level of night-time noise resulting from the activities of Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Co Ltd. The proposed expansion of the apron to the northeast may well exacerbate the noise level in the vicinity of Richland Gardens. A consultancy to address this problem and wider issues arising from ground operations at the airport is to commence shortly. It remains to be seen whether satisfactory solutions can be achieved.
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Other steps being taken to extend the life of Kai Tak include improvements
the air traffic control system and a major re-equipment of new radar displays and associated communications systems. This new equipment will facilitate a higher rate of utilisation of the runway and its approaches and an increased margin of safety.
A Consultancy on the development potential of Kai Tak
11
It
The fact remains however that a definitive and exhaustive study of the extent to which Kai Tak can be further improved and developed to its maximum capacity is required. is therefore desirable to appoint consultants to examine the potential for these improvements. This consultancy would include an analysis of the economic and environmental implications of relying solely on Kai Tak.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.