ENG-1990 — Page 258

LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES

The first stages of a regional hospital providing 1 606 beds were completed and opened to the public in spring 1990; the last stage is scheduled to open in spring 1992.

The final stages of the town park and the promenade to the east of the river channel were completed in autumn 1990.

The marina to the south east of the town is nearing completion. This development consists of residential buildings, hotels, shops and recreational facilities including berths for 300 boats.

Existing industrial areas provide floorspace for about 2 100 companies and jobs for 36 000 workers, mainly in the plastics, garment, metal, electronics and textile industries. Over 60 per cent of workers in these factories live in Tuen Mun.

Extension of the Light Rail Transit system, which forms the backbone of the transport service within the town and to Yuen Long, is in hand, formation of the reserve for three regional links having been completed in November 1990. A feasibility study for the Long Ping Link in Yuen Long was completed in December 1990.

Owing to its relative isolation from the urban areas and the opportunities for provision of deep water facilities and good infrastructural support, Tuen Mun West was considered in the Port and Airport Development Strategy to offer a conducive environment for the development of special industries. In addition, the location of a cargo working area in Tuen Mun West serving river trade between Mainland China and Hong Kong will minimise marine traffic which otherwise would pass through Ma Wan Channel. A feasibility study for reclaiming land for the development of special industries and a river trade terminal in Area 38 was completed in 1990.

Tai Po

Tai Po is situated at the head of the north-western arm of Tolo Harbour, about 20 kilometres north of Kowloon. It is well served by the Tolo Highway and the electrified Kowloon-Canton Railway with two railway stations. Vehicular access from Sha Tin and Kowloon has been further enhanced by the opening of Yuen Sin Road which provides a fast direct link from Tolo Highway.

The population of Tai Po is at present about 197 000 and is expected to reach 306 000 by the end of the 1990s, of which 168 000 will be accommodated in the public housing sector. Tai Wo Estate is complete and has taken in residents.

Both the Lam Tsuen River and Tai Po River training schemes have been completed after a decade of construction work. Besides providing effective channels for the discharge of surface water, the schemes have also improved flood control, environment and amenities in the vicinity of both rivers.

A total of 17 hectares of land was formed and serviced for various uses in 1990, while community facilities, such as a swimming pool complex and a central market were com- pleted to serve the increasing population.

The development of recreational facilities in Tai Po has been designed to satisfy both local and regional demand, and is considerably enhanced by the area's attractive scenic setting. The strategy in providing these facilities has been to link them by footpaths and cycleways, a strategy best exemplified in the cycleway linking Tai Po and Sha Tin along the Tolo Highway, which has proved extremely popular, especially at weekends and during holidays. Another major cycleway along Ting Kok Road leading to Tai Mei Tuk will be completed in mid-1991.

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