ENG-2005 — Page 275

Land, Public Works and Utilities ❘ 229

Landscape Design and the Natural Environment

Extensive landscape works continued during the year in conjunction with new developments, providing green surroundings for new neighbourhoods. Trees were planted along roadsides to provide shade and colour, and sitting-out areas and walkways were provided for the enjoyment of the public. Ecological restoration work has also been carried out, in accordance with environmental impact assessment study recommendations, to mitigate the impact of engineering works.

Apart from the tree planting associated with new developments, the large-scale afforestation programme continued in the hinterland of the new towns and urban development areas, reducing soil erosion due to water run-off from hillsides, preventing siltation of drainage systems and enhancing the countryside. More than 10 million trees and shrubs have been planted over the last five years, with about 2.5 million planted in 2005.

Tsuen Wan

Tsuen Wan new town embraces Tsuen Wan, Kwai Chung and Tsing Yi Island and covers, in total, an area of about 3 285 hectares. It has a planned population of about 857 100.

Tsuen Wan used to be an industrial area and, although most of the factories. have been relocated to the Mainland, the area still retains its character as an industrial hub. The new town has Hong Kong's nine container terminals in its midst in Kwai Tsing, the latest of which was completed in 2005.

Major highway projects are being constructed to further extend and reinforce the main road network to cater for the increased traffic in the area. Construction of part of Route 8 between Tsing Yi and Cheung Sha Wan, and the remaining section of Route 9 between Shek Wai Kok and Chai Wan Kok are in progress and targeted for completion in 2008 and mid 2006 respectively.

Sha Tin

Sha Tin new town embraces Sha Tin and Ma On Shan and covers an area of about 3 591 hectares. It has a planned population of about 735 000.

The new town has a well-established external transport network comprising the Kowloon-Canton Railway, Ma On Shan Rail, Lion Rock Tunnel, Tai Po Road, Tolo Highway, Sai Sha Road, Shing Mun Tunnel and Tate's Cairn Tunnel.

The external road links to and from Sha Tin are being expanded. Sections of Route 8, which include Sha Tin Heights Tunnel and Eagle Nest Tunnel, will link Sha Tin to Cheung Sha Wan and connect to Trunk Road T3. All works including T3 are under construction and targeted for completion in 2007.

Tuen Mun

Tuen Mun new town in the western New Territories is built mainly on land reclaimed from Castle Peak Bay and on platforms in the valley between Castle Peak and the Tai Lam Hills. It covers an area of about 2 253 hectares. The new town's planned population is about 595 000.