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Proposal bypasses pressing questions

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One would have thought the government would have learned its lesson from the chief executive's controversial claim of 70 per cent public support for Tamar. Not so. The deputy secretary for housing, planning and lands, Robin Ip Man-fai, now claims: 'The people want the [Central-Wan Chai] bypass; they want to build it as soon as possible.' (Public wants a bypass now, says official', September 1). No proof whatsoever is provided.

Clearly, road users would appreciate less traffic congestion. But the government has yet to prove that the proposed bypass is the best solution and meets the reclamation test of overriding public need. Importantly, as this is the 'last' reclamation, we have to make sure it solves congestion for the long term.

The following questions must be answered in the affirmative before one can support the bypass. First, has the government exhausted all possible and reasonable means to resolve congestion along the Connaught Road-Gloucester Road corridor? Second, what measures has it put in place to avoid the need for further reclamation (more roads) along Hong Kong Island's north shore?

It is unclear how the proposed bypass will resolve the traffic congestion. Although it will allow some traffic to bypass the logjam, it will also make it easier for more traffic to come to the congested areas.

The government has yet to start implementing reasonable mitigating measures, such as electronic road pricing and dynamic tunnel fares to manage traffic, strict loading and unloading control measures, bus route rationalisation, and the financing and implementation of the Northern Island MTR line.

Finally, does the Central-Wan Chai bypass meet the Harbour Planning Principles set out by the Harbourfront Enhancement Committee? Many people are likely to support a tunnel as a means to take traffic underground and away from the harbourfront. However, it is unclear from the proposed design of the bypass and the location of slip roads that this will be achieved. In fact, more traffic will be drawn closer to the harbourfront onto various surface roads.

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