Roadworks threaten landmark banyan tree

A century-old banyan tree growing on a slope in Tsim Sha Tsui could be uprooted as part of a road-widening plan being considered by the government to help boost tourism.

The tree, which has its roots deep in rocks, is on the entrance of a ramp leading to the former Marine Police base at the junction of Salisbury and Canton roads.

The Victorian colonial-style base will be conserved and tendered out next month for commercial development. But the ramp, which is also the only access to the complex, will be demolished upon completion of the development.

The demolition will provide a space at least 5.5 metres in width for expanding Canton Road near the Ocean Centre from two to three lanes and for the provision of a three-metre wide footpath for pedestrians.

Transport officials admitted that the tree might be growing too close to the proposed area for widening and they had been thinking of ways to avoid uprooting it.

'We are aware of the tree there and we will seek experts' advice on how to handle it when we proceed with the project,' said Edmond Fok Wai-kin, senior engineer of the Transport Department, adding that relocating the tree could be one of the options.

It is understood that the widening of Canton Road is a key component of a traffic re-routing plan under study to boost tourism in the area.