Town Planning Board puts route 4 around Kennedy Town and Pok Fu Lam
On Friday 27 June 2008, the Town Planning Board decided to agree with the Government and provide for Route 4 (previously Route 7) around the coast of Kennedy Town and Pok Fu Lam. See blue lines in the map below.
The Town Planning Board rejected our representation explaining that this provision should not be included on the draft outline zoning plan because it is obsolete:
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Alternative alignments have already been proposed by the Transport Bureau in 2003 and 2005;
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The alignment requires reclamation and contravenes the Protection of the Harbour Ordinance;
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The alignment is in conflict with community views as reflected in the Harbour Planning Principles and Guidelines, and the Board's own 'Vision for Victoria Harbour';
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Government has decided to build two railways - the South Island Line and West Island Line - which make the road unnecessary.
The Board is responsible for systematically preparing plans for the health, safety, convenience and general welfare of the community. That requires the Board to prepare plans which give certainty to the community and to do so independently from Government based on evidence and with due regard of the law.
By knowingly retaining an obsolete road alignment under the direction of the Government, the Town Planning Board proves that it is not an independent body. It is no longer a forum the public can appeal to for common sense in the face of the Government's failure to ensure a sustainable city.
The Town Planning Board has disregarded the Protection of the Harbour Ordinance and botched an opportunity to exert control over transport planning. Worse, it reinforced the threat of devastation of another shoreline with an elevated road.
