ENG-1989 — Page 239

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LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES

Fanling/Sheung Shui

Despite the fact that Fanling/Sheung Shui New Town is the most northerly of all the new towns and is only about four kilometres from China, it is well linked to the urban areas and other parts of the territory by the railway and the New Territories Circular Road.

The new town is now under rapid development. The present popula. on is about 125 000 and is expected to reach 235 000 by the end of the 1990s. Engineering works are in progress in several areas and about 35 hectares of land were formed and serviced for various uses in 1989.

During the year, Tin Ping Estate Phase 2, Tai Ping Estate and a Private Sector Participation Scheme were completed to accommodate a population of 22 000. The private housing sector has begun to pick up momentum with several commercial/residential developments adjacent to the Fanling and Sheung Shui railway stations now under construction.

On Lok Tsuen is the major industrial area of the new town and the main source of industrial employment for residents. Development in this industrial area is progressing rapidly with 12 industrial buildings completed during 1989. To keep pace with population growth, planning is in hand to provide additional industrial land in the new town.

At Sha Tau Kok, a small township with a population of about 3 700 adjacent to the border with China, work is in progress to upgrade and improve the services, community facilities and environment. Projects completed during the year include Phases II and III of - a rural public housing estate for 1 400 persons, a community hall and some open spaces.

Yuen Long, Tin Shui Wai and the North-western New Territories

Yuen Long town has continued to grow since the start of its development in the early 1970s. In 1989, the population of the town stood at 95 000 and is expected to grow to 137 000 by the end of the 1990s.

The Light Rail Transit System between Tuen Mun and Yuen Long became operational in Autumn 1988 and measures to improve traffic flow in Yuen Long were completed shortly thereafter.

A scheme to reduce the smell and visual impact of the Yuen Long nullahs is about to start, with completion scheduled for 1991.

Yuen Long town park is beginning to take shape since its construction commenced in late 1988. When completed in 1990, the town park will feature extensive areas of woodland, an ornamental lake, a pagoda, an aviary and football pitches.

Yuen Long Industrial Estate provides 67 hectares of serviced industrial land. About 40 per cent of the land has been leased. ·

Reclamation is underway for Tin Shui Wai new town using material dredged from the seabed in Deep Bay, and the southern half of the reclamation is almost complete. Construction of infrastructure and the two public housing estates in Tin Shui Wai commenced during the year. The two estates are scheduled for completion by stages from 1992 to 1993 to accommodate some 60 000 people. By the end of 1997, the population is expected to reach about 137 000.

A new road is being built to connect Yuen Long and the south-eastern end of Tin Shui Wai.

Flood protection works for a number of villages in the surrounding low-lying areas of Tin Shui Wai are complete and in operation. A comprehensive village flood protection study for nearly 200 villages in the north-western New Territories has been completed and an implementation programme is now being drawn up.