ENG-1992 — Page 230

LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES

the demand for medical services, the regional hospital providing 1606 beds with staff quarters and the fifth nurses training school were completed. The first stage of the hospital was put into operation in early 1990 and the last stage in early 1992. One urban clinic is under construction and works will be completed in mid-1993.

A marina along the south-east coast of the town was programmed for completion in mid-1993. This private development consists of residential buildings, hotels, shops and recreational facilities, including berths for 300 boats. Eleven out of 19 residential blocks were completed and occupied.

Main industries in Tuen Mun are light manufacturing such as plastics, garments, metal, electronics and textiles. The existing industrial areas provide floor space for about 2 200 companies and jobs for about 40 000 people. Over 80 per cent of the workers employed in the factories live in the Tuen Mun and Yuen Long areas.

The backbone of the transport service, serving the town and linking it with Yuen Long, is the Light Rail Transit system. Three additional links - Pier Head to Yau Oi, Yau Oi to Sam Shing, and Town Centre to North East Tuen Mun have been completed and in operation since February 1992.

A feasibility study for the development of a 125-hectare site in the western part of Tuen Mun for the establishment of special industries and a terminal for river trade with China was completed in late 1991. The actual reclamation work for the special industry area was scheduled to commence in 1994 and the river trade terminal was planned to be developed by the private sector. The planning and engineering feasibility study of reclaiming an even larger area to the north of Tap Shek Kok in Tuen Mun West for both deep waterfront industries and cargo working terminal development was scheduled for completion by early 1993.

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

Development of Yuen Long from its former market town status into a thriving new town community began early in the 1970s. In 1992, the population of the town stood at 130 000 and is expected to grow to 140 000 by the end of the 1990s.

Environmental improvement work for the Yuen Long nullahs was completed in late 1992. Improvements to the water quality in the upper nullahs were quite noticeable and the offensive smell experienced in the past abated.

Three major infrastructure contracts in Tin Shui Wai have been completed, while another three major contracts are in progress. These contracts are to be completed in phases to provide access and services to private and public housing developments. The formation of the first stage of the Light Rail Transit link into Tin Shui Wai was completed in late 1992 and service is due to commence in early 1993. The two public housing estates, Tin Yiu Estate and Tin Shui Estate, were being completed in phases. The first residents started moving into their new flats in April 1992. They were followed shortly afterwards by the residents of the private development, Kingswood Villa. A third public housing development is planned to commence in 1993. After its completion in 1997 the new town population is expected to reach 140 000. The provision of community facilities in Tin Shui Wai has been programmed to coincide with population intake.

Long Tin Road and Long Ping Road, which connect the south east of Tin Shui Wai to Yuen Long were completed in early 1992. The construction of the Tuen Mun-Yuen Long Eastern Corridor was in progress for completion in 1993. Construction of the Yuen Long

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