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Case
9 - Second Railway Development Strategy 2000
Key Environmental
Outcomes or Influences
| 1. |
Fully
consider the hidden environmental benefits and costs between
rail and road to support "Prioriy to Railway" |
| 2. |
Increase
rail share in the public transport system from 31% in 2000 to
43% by 2016, or in terms of the diatance traveled by passengers
from 34% to almost 60%, amounting to a reduction of air pollutants
by about 600 tonnes of NOx and RSP per year and about 160,000
tonnes of CO2 per year. |
| 3. |
Eliminate environmentally unacceptable alternatives. |
Type
of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)
Strategic level
environmental assessment of potential railway transportation strategies
in Hong Kong.
Nature
and Scope of the Proposal
Develop a territory-wide
railway development strategy to meet the short to long term transport
need of Hong Kong.
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[Photo of Railways Provided to Minimize Potential Air and Noise Pollution]
Railways Provided to Minimize Potential Air and Noise Pollution
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Basis
of SEA Requirement
As part of the
study to develop railway development strategy. A requirement to
provide information on environmental implications in the submissions
to the highest decision making body, the Executive Council, in Hong
Kong. Downstream EIA requirements for individual projects arising
from the strategy.
Basis
of SEA Requirement
As part of the
study to develop railway development strategy. A requirement to
provide information on environmental implications in the submissions
to the highest decision making body, the Executive Council, in Hong
Kong. Downstream EIA requirements for individual projects arising
from the strategy.
Alternatives
or Options Evaluation
Environmental
effects of providing rail instead of roads were compared strategically.
Environmental opportunities and constraints identified for input
into the corridors formulation and development process. More than
60 potential links and alternatives have been identified for evaluation.
Significant environmental sensitive areas were avoided.
Latest
Status and Potential Way Forward
The then Transport
Bureau announced in May 2000 the "Railway Development Strategy
2000". The recommended railway projects amount to about HK$80
to HK$100 billion.
Project level
EIAs would be conducted on the railway projects to determine the
details and ensure environmental acceptability at the project level.
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