HONG KONG: The government will study the need for a rail line extension in the northeastern New Territories, lawmakers were told by a city planning administrator yesterday.

The pledge was made when Assistant Director of Planning Raymond Wong Wai-man spoke at a meeting of the Legislative Council's development panel yesterday.

Legislator and North district councilor Wong Sing-chi urged the creation of a rail line in northern Fanling linking the current Fanling MTR station with Luen Wo Hui, the proposed new town in Fanling North, and border area Heung Yuen Wai.

He said an elevated railway is needed, as more than 20,000 residents now live in Luen Wo Hui and many more will move in when the northeastern area is further opened up.

Raymond Wong said, "We will study in the next phase whether to set up an environment- friendly transport network, including a railway system. We will see whether it is expensive, how much land it needs and study its economic efficiency (of a new rail line)."

Wong Sing-chi said, "It will be unfair to North district residents if the government holds up the railway plan until new residents move in."

The government earlier proposed building three new towns in Kwu Tung North, Fanling North as well as in Ping Che and Ta Kwu Ling, expected to house about 131,000 residents, about 15 times more than the current population in the areas.

Authorities also said the opening up of new areas is in view of the looming increase in population.

The government estimated that by 2030, the city's population will jump to about 8.4 million from some 7 million at present.

Despite the expected surging housing demand, Wong Sing-chi called on authorities to consider whether the proposed buildings in the new towns block the view of current residential flats nearby.

He said in the preliminary outline development plan proposed by the government, a number of public housing blocks will be erected in the north of Wing Fai Centre, a residential complex in Fanling.

"The residents will probably strongly oppose the plan if blocks of more than 30 stories are built there. They now have a green view," he said.

In developing the new towns, Secretary for Development Carrie Lam said two top challenges are how to create a low-carbon community and how to reclaim land from various landlords, especially from major developers.

The second phase of the public consultation on the development plans will close on January 12 next year.

China Daily

(HK Edition 11/25/2009 page1)