LCQ21: Proposed joint-user complex at Tsuen Nam Road, Tai Wai
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Question:
The Government plans to build a joint-user complex at the existing site of the Tai Wai Playground at Tsuen Nam Road, Tai Wai to provide community facilities and public housing, and the construction works are expected to commence in 2024 for completion in 2030 at the earliest. It is learnt that some members of the public strongly demand the Government to enhance the planning of the project. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) whether it has consulted the Legislative Council Members of the geographical constituency concerned on the project; if so, of the outcome of the consultation; if not, the reasons for that;
(2) whether it has plans to implement road improvement measures in the light of the project, so as to enhance the ancillary transport facilities in the vicinity and reduce the traffic impacts that may arise from the project; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that, and whether it will draw up other relevant plans;
(3) whether the public car park to be provided in the proposed joint-user complex will be a smart car park; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
(4) whether it has plans to extend the existing 5-a-side soccer pitch on the deck over the Tai Wai Nullah, so as to compensate for the soccer pitch inside the playground that has to be demolished due to the project; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
(5) whether it has plans to add a pedestrian link to the proposed joint-user complex for directly connecting the complex with the MTR Tai Wai Station, so as to reduce competition between pedestrians and vehicles for road space; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
Having consulted the Housing Department (HD), the Transport Department and the Architectural Services Department (ArchSD), my consolidated reply to the question raised by the Hon Dominic Lee is as follows:
(1) On May 17 this year, the Sha Tin District Office and the HD, together with relevant departments, consulted the Development, Housing, Environment and Health Committee of the Sha Tin District Council on the development of a joint-user complex and public housing at Tsuen Nam Road in Tai Wai (the Development), followed by local consultation which commenced on May 20. Generally speaking, local consultation is intended for stakeholders who may be affected in the district concerned. The local consultation targets of the Development include the Sha Tin Rural Committee, relevant Area Committees, residents and residents' organisations, village representatives, local organisations and bodies, schools and other institutions, etc.
In seeking funding application for the construction of the Government, institution or community facilities and the public vehicle park in the Development, the Government will follow the established procedures and mechanism under the Capital Works Programme to consult the relevant Panel of the Legislative Council (LegCo) and then submit the funding application to the Public Works Subcommittee and Finance Committee of the LegCo for scrutiny.
(2) Regarding the potential impact of the Development on the road networks in the vicinity, the ArchSD has engaged a transport consultant to conduct a preliminary traffic review. According to the review, if appropriate road improvement measures are adopted, the Development will not cause unacceptable impact on the road networks in the vicinity. The preliminary proposed measures include increasing the cycle time of the traffic light signal at the junction of Tai Po Road (Tai Wai Section)/Shing Chuen Road, and adjusting the traffic signs at the junction of Tsuen Nam Road/Chik Luk Lane. In addition, relevant departments will conduct a traffic impact assessment at an appropriate juncture to further study the impact on the road networks in the vicinity.
(3) On whether the Automated Parking System (APS) will be implemented in a public car park, various factors will need to be considered, including the project nature, design requirements, site constraints, permissible gross floor area and cost-effectiveness, etc. Despite the limited site area of the proposed Development, relevant departments will actively consider the feasibility of the implementation of the APS during development of the project.
(4) In planning recreational facilities, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will take into account various factors such as population change in the district, demand for recreational facilities, availability and usage rates of existing facilities, while making reference to the Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines, as well as the views of district personalities in order to provide recreational facilities that suit the needs of local residents. The LCSD notes that currently 5-a-side soccer pitches are available at Tai Wai Soccer Pitch and Chui Tin Street Soccer Pitch respectively, which are just next to or near to the existing Tai Wai Playground (the project site). Given that the utilisation of these soccer pitches is not saturated, and that Chik Fuk Street Sitting-Out Area and Chik Fu Street Rest Garden in the close proximity also provide amenity facilities to residents in Tai Wai, there is no need to expand the 5-a-side soccer pitch at Tai Wai Soccer Pitch for the time being. Nevertheless, the LCSD has taken note of the views and will accord due consideration to them in case of any future development of the soccer pitch.
(5) Regarding the construction of a footbridge or a covered walkway in the vicinity of the Development, relevant departments will further consider the issue during development of the project.
Ends/Wednesday, June 8, 2022
Issued at HKT 11:31
Issued at HKT 11:31
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