When Kathy Siu Ka-yi campaigned to join the Central and Western district council last year, she promised a second Mid-Levels escalator would be built to take pedestrians from the foot of the hill in Sheung Wan to Bonham Street along Pound Lane.
Now that Siu has been elected, consultations on the Pound Lane escalator will start this month - despite its high cost and complaints from residents.
The Transport Department first proposed in 2010 building escalators in 20 locations across the city.
The first of these will open this year on Centre Street in Sai Ying Pun.
But while the Centre Street escalator will cost HK$60 million, the Pound Lane escalator would cost an estimated HK$200 million.
Six Sheung Wan residents have organised the Pound Lane Concern Group to voice criticisms the escalator would waste taxpayers' money.
They say it would also ruin the character of the peaceful neighbourhood and turn it into another SoHo.