Chief Executive in Council approves waiving premium payable for lease modification to construct footbridge in Admiralty
******************************************************************************************
The 2016 Policy Address announced that the Government would implement a pilot facilitation scheme to encourage landowners to construct pedestrian links including footbridges or subways at their own cost in accordance with the planned pedestrian network in Kowloon East by waiving the land premium payable for the required lease modification, with a view to providing a safe, comfortable and convenient network. Apart from Kowloon East, the Government would also consider applications for premium waiver for pedestrian links in other districts on a case-by-case basis.
In accordance with the established mechanism, individual applications for pedestrian links outside Kowloon East would be evaluated by the Development Bureau on the basis of criteria which assess the merits of the proposed pedestrian links from the perspective of overall walkability and connectivity. The assessment of individual applications will be submitted to the Land and Development Advisory Committee (LDAC) for advice, while supported applications for premium waiver will be submitted to the Executive Council for approval.
A spokesperson for the Development Bureau said that the proposed footbridge in Admiralty should be able to provide a solution to the lack of an at-grade connection; is likely to be used by a substantial amount of daily commuters including transit passengers from the nearby Admiralty MTR Station; and should enhance the established elevated pedestrian network in the area. The proposed pedestrian link is expected to bring overall benefits to the walkability and connectivity in the area as a whole. The application is supported by the LDAC.
The premium waiver would be applicable only after the relevant lease modification is submitted and agreed by the Government. As preconditions to enjoy the premium waiver, the applicant will be required to bear the construction, management and maintenance responsibilities and related costs of the pedestrian footbridge and provide 24-hour barrier-free and free public access at the future footbridge. The applicant will also need to separately work on other issues related to the implementation of the footbridge such as its design, visual assessment and technical feasibility.
Ends/Wednesday, May 24, 2017
Issued at HKT 11:20
Issued at HKT 11:20
NNNN