The Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao today (November 16) visited Sha Tin District to exchange views with local representatives on the latest developments in the district.
Accompanied by District Council Chairman, Mr Wai Kwong-hung; Vice-Chairman, Mr Pang Cheung-wai; Chairmen of the five STDC Committees; and Sha Tin District Officer, Mr Philip Chan, Dr Liao first arrived at Palm Court in Ma On Shan to take a close look at the operation of the newly completed Trunk Road T7 and the noise barriers being installed along the road.
The visiting party noted that the 3.2 km-bypass (T7) provides fast and direct access linking the western and eastern parts of Ma On Shan new town. They were informed that a total of 63,000 square metres of noise barriers had been installed to reduce the traffic noise nuisance to nearby residents.
As part of the project, special planting and landscaping works have been carried out at Palm Court. This involved the planting of 1,000 grown palm trees and 100,000 rhododendrons, which are native to Ma On Shan. When completed, Palm Court against the mountainous scenery of Ma On Shan, together with the low-rise urban landscape and bauhinia garden will become one of the important landmarks of Ma On Shan new town.
Dr Liao and the visiting team then took a trial ride on the Ma On Shan Rail.
The Ma On Shan Rail is an 11.4 km-long railway running from Wu Kai Sha to Tai Wai. There are nine stations along the railway, which interchanges with the East Rail at Tai Wai Station. The Ma On Shan Rail is expected to open by the end of the year.
Before the party boarded the train at the Wu Kai Sha Station, Dr Liao was briefed on the arrangements of the public transport interchange outside the station.
On arrival at Tai Wai Station, the party also inspected the bicycle-parking facilities outside the station.
The district visit today was the second made by Dr Liao recently. Earlier on, she visited the Stonecutters Island Sewage Treatment Works together with Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of the 18 District Councils to solicit their views on the way forward for Stage 2 of the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme.
Ends/Tuesday, November 16, 2004