ENG-1989 — Page 259

TRANSPORT

significant increases in the vehicle fleet and travel demand between 1986 and 2001 which would outgrow significantly the 37 per cent increase in road capacity by the turn of the century. It identifies new road and railway programmes to cope with the expand- ing demand.

On the basis of these findings, the Green Paper sets out a proposed strategy to meet the transport challenges up to 2001: improving the transport infrastructure; expanding and improving public transport, and managing the demand for road use. The White Paper to be published in early 1990 will set out government's broad transport strategy and policy intentions for the next decade, taking fully into account public views and the Port and Airport Development Strategy.

Transport Infrastructure

The proposed major road development programmes for the next decade include: North Lantau Expressway and Lantau Fixed Crossing to provide a direct expressway link to the replacement airport at Chek Lap Kok; Route 3 to provide a third harbour crossing and major north-south road link connecting the border with the existing container port and the urban area; the Hung Hom bypass and the Kai Tak connector to provide new east-west road links in Kowloon; Route 16 to provide a new expressway connecting Sha Tin and West Kowloon, and Route 7 and Central-Wan Chai bypass to provide a continuous expressway along the northern and western shores of Hong Kong Island. The recom- mended- railway projects are the Airport Railway, an extension of the Mass Transit Railway to Junk Bay, and a rail link connecting north-western New Territories and Tsuen Wan. The total costs of the recommended new highway and rail projects are estimated at $37 billion and $18 billion respectively at 1989 prices.

Public Transport

The objective is to ensure the development of a balanced, safe, economic and efficient network. The major elements include the flexible application of the inter-modal co- ordination policy, making greater use of the efficient mass carriers and improving the quality of public transport services.

Managing Road Use

A package of measures proposed in the management of road use to maintain an acceptable level of mobility for passengers and goods includes introducing modern traffic-management measures and minimising traffic disruptions caused by defective vehicles, traffic accidents, road maintenance and utility works, priority given to the more efficient and essential road users, effective management of travel demands and identifying opportunities for adjusting land use to reduce pressure on the transport system.

Administration

The Transport Branch of the Government Secretariat, headed by the Secretary for Transport, is responsible for the overall policy formulation and the direction and co- ordination of all transport matters. In discharging this responsibility, the secretary is assist- ed on major issues by the Transport Advisory Committee, which advises the Governor in Council on major transport policies and issues. The committee has 18 appointed members, including the chairman and six government members. The secretary also chairs the Transport Policy Co-ordinating Committee which oversees the co-ordination and implementation of policies and projects.

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