The Government announced today (November 16) that the Chief Executive in Council has approved a premium waiver for a pedestrian link in Hung Hom (location plan at Annex).
      
     A spokesperson for the Development Bureau (DEVB) said that the proposed pedestrian link would connect the covered walkway network of Hung Hom MTR station to a nearby hotel development. It would provide a barrier-free public passageway to Cheong Tung Road at ground level, which would also offer an alternative route for members of the public to travel, via Cheong Tung Road, to the area where a number of funeral parlours are located. The proposed pedestrian link and its connecting path would provide better walking conditions when compared with the existing non-weather proof access via Cheong Wan Road where pedestrians also have to cross a road junction. The proposal would enhance the connectivity and walkability of the area as a whole.
      
     In accordance with the evaluation mechanism under the Policy of Facilitating Provision of Pedestrian Links by the Private Sector, the DEVB considered that the above pedestrian link could bring public benefits in multiple aspects, including providing an alternative choice to the existing routes with less desirable walking conditions and strengthening the area-wide walking network, etc. The Land and Development Advisory Committee has been consulted earlier.
      
     Under the Policy, the applicant will be required to shoulder the design, construction, management and maintenance responsibilities and related costs of the pedestrian link, and provide 24-hour barrier-free public access at the completed pedestrian link. The applicant will also need to work on other issues related to the implementation of the pedestrian link such as design, visual impact assessment, gazettal and objection resolution, etc.    
      
     The spokesperson said that other interested parties are welcome to contact the DEVB on the details of the Policy.

Ends/Tuesday, November 16, 2021
Issued at HKT 19:13

NNNN