In response to media enquiries about a boat parade staged by the Society for the Protection of the Harbour Limited, a Government spokesman today (March 6) reiterated that the main purpose of the Wan Chai Development Phase II (WDII) was to build a trunk road comprising the Central-Wan Chai Bypass (CWB) and the Island Eastern Corridor Link.
"There is a compelling and present need to construct the trunk road to alleviate traffic congestion along the northern shore of Hong Kong Island," he said. "If the trunk road is not ready by 2011, it will take 45 minutes for drivers to travel the four kilometres between Rumsey Street and Causeway Bay during rush hours. With the trunk road, the time required now of 15 minutes will be reduced to 5 minutes.
"Any possible reclamation at Wan Chai North will depend on the alignment, design and location of the CWB and the extent of reclamation will be kept to the minimum. No land will be reclaimed for the purpose of land sales. Any land reclaimed in connection with the CWB will be put to public use.
"We will strictly adhere to the requirements of the Protection of the Harbour Ordinance and the 'overriding public need test' stipulated by the Court of Final Appeal (CFA)," he said.
The comprehensive review of the Central Reclamation Phase III (CRIII) completed in April 2004 concluded that the CRIII met the CFA's "overriding public need test" and that the extent of reclamation was the minimum required for the construction of essential transport infrastructure and the reprovisioning of facilities along the existing waterfront. The CRIII works are now under way.
The Government has pledged that apart from Central and the development schemes in Wan Chai North and Kai Tak, there will be no further reclamation inside the Harbour.
"The Government will continue to work closely with the Harbour-front Enhancement Committee to enhance the harbour-front and make it a vibrant and accessible attraction for the enjoyment of residents and tourists alike," the spokesman added.
Ends/Sunday, March 6, 2005
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