ENG-1997 — Page 269

LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES

Three public housing estates/Home Ownership Scheme projects are under construction. The construction of Trunk Road T7, which will bypass the Town Centre, is planned to start in 2000. Upon full development, Ma On Shan will house about 750 000 people.

The programme to improve conditions in the old villages in and around Sha Tin continues. The extension of Sha Tin Tau Village started in 1995 and was completed in mid-1996. Servicing and minor formation works are being carried out for villages at Ngau Pei Sha, Chap Wai Kon and To Shek.

Tuen Mun

Tuen Mun, in the West New Territories, is developed mainly on land reclaimed from Castle Peak Bay and on platforms formed in the valley between Castle Peak and the Tai Lam Hills. About 1 200 hectares of land have been provided for development.

About 72 per cent of the town's 446 000 people live in public housing developments, which comprise 11 public rental estates, 16 home ownership and private sector participation schemes and one temporary housing area. Within the next five years, four more home ownership and private sector participation schemes, one public rental estate and one Vertical Interim Housing project will be developed to provide new accommodation for 67 000 people. Upon full development, the new town will provide homes for about 524 000 people.

In western Tuen Mun, a 73-hectare site is earmarked for special industries and a 79- hectare site is being developed by the private sector as a River Trade Terminal. Reclamation works for the special industry area commenced in September 1995. In association with these developments, a major road, the Foothills Bypass, will be constructed to cater for the increasing traffic demand. Construction work is scheduled to start in mid-1998.

Tai Po

In the past 20 years, Tai Po has grown from a small market town of 25 000 into a new town with a population of 276 000 on about 1 270 hectares of land. This new town is well developed with the major infrastructure in place.

A feasibility study for the Pak Shek Kok development area to the immediate north of the Chinese University of Hong Kong commenced in April 1997. The study site, covering 105 hectares, is planned for the development of a science park, and residential and recreation uses. The feasibility study is scheduled for completion in August 1998.

The Tai Po Convalescent/Infirmary Hospital was completed in April 1997 and the Waterfront Park near Fu Shin Estate was completed in August 1997.

Fanling and Sheung Shui

Fanling and Sheung Shui sustain a population of around 203 000 people on about 773 hectares of land. This population is expected to increase to 230 000 by the turn of the century.

Planning work on various flood control schemes for River Indus is progressing for completion by early 2002 in step with the Shenzhen River regulation project to reduce flooding risks by then. The river training works on the River Indus will commence in mid-1998.

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