The Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao today (January 26) visited Tsuen Wan District to see ongoing and planned public works projects under her policy portfolio in the district and to listen to views and suggestions of the local community.
Dr Liao was received by Mr Chau How-chen, Chairman, and Mr Chung Wai-ping, Vice-Chairman of Tsuen Wan District Council, and the District Officer of Tsuen Wan, Mrs Alison Lau during the visit.
Dr Liao inspected the progress of the works for the section of Route 9 between Shek Wai Kok and Chai Wan Kok. At present, vehicles travelling between the Tsuen Wan end of Tuen Mun Road and Shing Mun Tunnel have to go through the busy local roads and it takes them about 13 minutes. Upon completion of this last section of Route 9 by mid 2006, vehicles can bypass the busy local roads and cut travelling time down to just three minutes.
Dr Liao was also briefed by officials of the Civil Engineering and Development Department on a project to retrofit noise barriers along Cheung Pei Shan Road. The 830-metre long barriers will reduce the traffic noise impact on about 1600 households along the road. The project will be completed by early 2008.
Dr Liao also visited Yeung Uk Road to see traffic conditions and the locations of planned private developments. She was given an update on the plan to widen the road in tandem with the future new developments. The widening works are scheduled for completion by 2010.
The party also visited the Tsuen Wan Environmental Educational Centre managed by Green Power. The centre is a 100-year-old Hakka House, and was declared as a monument in 1986 by the Antiquities Authority. Since 1997, it has been run as an Environmental Resource Centre, partly supported by Environmental and Conservation Fund, to promote environmental awareness among the community. Dr Liao joined a guided tour of the centre by Chief Executive Officer of Green Power, Mr Man Chi-sum, together with a group of primary students.
Before she ended her visit, Dr Liao shopped at Tsuen Wan Town Centre for some New Year things to celebrate the Lunar New Year this weekend.
Ends/Thursday, January 26, 2006