Report of the Environmental Impact Assessment Subcommittee for August 1999
(ACE Paper 33/99)
for advice
INTRODUCTION
In August 1999, the Subcommittee endorsed the EIA reports of the Salisbury Road Underpass and Associated Road Improvement Works including Middle Road Circulation System and the Planning & Development Study of Potential Housing Site in Tuen Mun Area 54 by circulation.
Advice sought
2.Members are requested to advise whether the two reports mentioned above should be endorsed.
VIEWS OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE
Salisbury Road Underpass and Associated Road Improvement Works including Middle Road Circulation System
(ACE EIA Paper 17/99)
3.The Tsim Sha Tsui Traffic Improvement Study, completed in 1989, predicted that by 2003 the traffic flow at the junction of Salisbury Road / Chatham Road South would be saturated during peak hours. An underpass with 2 lanes in each direction was recommended to cater for the predicted traffic flow increase. The construction work is scheduled to start in late 2000 for completion by late 2003. The works will include:
- widening of Salisbury Road from the Shangri-La Hotel to Kowloon Park Drive (approximately 1.0 km in length); and
- construction of a 130m long underpass along Salisbury Road at the junction of Salisbury Road and Chatham Road.
4.Modelling results on traffic emission along the Salisbury Road showed that, with the provision of the underpass, the maximum concentration of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) assessed at all air sensitive receivers, would not exceed the relevant Air Quality Objectives. With respect to air quality within the underpass, maximum concentration of NO2 was predicted to be far below the tunnel air quality criteria, even under the worst case scenario, i.e. with stationary traffic on one carriageway. No mitigation measure is therefore required.
5.As regards landscape impact, about 240 existing trees would be affected by the project. To soften and mitigate the impacts, a landscape planting scheme, with planting and transplanting proposals, was recommended. Trees to be felled are either in bad condition or of common varieties. The loss from tree felling will be compensated with about four-fold in number by fresh planting. Planning Department has accepted and Highways Department will implement the landscape planting scheme. The Urban Services Department will take up the maintenance responsibility of the soft landscape.
Views and Recommendations of EIA Subcommittee's Members
6.No specific concerns were expressed by Members on the report. The Subcommittee agreed to recommend to the Council to endorse the report without condition.
Planning & Development Study of Potential Housing Site in Tuen Mun Area 54
(ACE EIA Paper 18/99)7.The Territory Development Strategy Review of 1996 concluded that the demand on land for housing supply under the then approved plans and programmes would not be able to meet the estimated demand after 2000/2001. The subject site was identified as one of the potential housing sites to meet the medium term housing demand. The project covers an area of about 100 hectares and will provide housing for about 45,000 people with a target population intake date in 2006. The project will include :
- the formation of 5 housing sites; and
- the provision of supporting infrastructure including roads, drains, water supply and sewers.
8.Some of the proposed and existing housing development within the subject site will be subject to traffic noise impact from the new Road D7 and the widening of the existing Tsing Lun Road. A package of direct noise mitigation measures, comprising semi-enclosure and 1m to 5m high road side barriers, has been developed to ensure the noise criteria under the Technical Memorandum of the EIA Ordinance can be met. However, upon exhausting all practicable direct noise mitigation measures, residual road traffic noise impacts are expected. About 1405 dwellings would be eligible for indirect technical remedies in the form of window insulation and air-conditioning, subject to ExCo approval. TDD will undertake a detailed Noise Insulation Study to identify the exact requirements for noise insulation.
9.Through alternative development schemes selection, impacts on high ecological value woodland have been avoided and it will be further protected by creation of a conservation area. The study concluded that compensatory planting of 0.7 ha of moderate value woodland which is contiguous to an existing mature woodland and 0.8 ha of low value native species along road side within the project site is sufficient and that no significant residual ecological impact is expected.
Views and Recommendations of EIA Subcommittee's Members
10.Members' concerns mainly focused on the adequacy of noise mitigation measures and provision of compensatory planting. Responses were duly provided by Territory Development Department, the project proponent, in written form. The Subcommittee agreed to recommend to the Council to endorse the report without condition.
EIA Subcommittee Secretariat
August 1999 - the formation of 5 housing sites; and
