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SCMP Reporter

Transport authorities are trying to speed up part of the second stage of the KCRC West Rail development in order to provide a second cross-border rail link to ease congestion.

 This means the planned second rail crossing, at Lok Ma Chau, could be brought forward.

 The move follows concern at record crowds on the KCR crossing the border during the weekend Ching Ming Festival.

 More than 222,000 people crossed at Lowu on Saturday which resulted in chaotic queues.

 A Transport Bureau spokesman said mainland officials had endorsed the proposal and it had asked the KCRC to study the feasibility of an early opening.

 The link is a spur line connecting the East Rail's Sheung Shui station to Lok Ma Chau checkpoint.

 It was intended to be built as part of phase two of the West Rail development, linking it to its eastern counterpart which crosses at congested Lowu.

 The Government now wants the spur completed before the phase two programme, which might not begin until well into the next decade. Phase one is expected to be complete in late 2003.

 'Early completion of the spur should provide long-term relief to the pressure at Lowu terminal,' the spokesman said.

 The bureau said that it was liaising with mainland authorities over the progress of the Shenzhen Metro, which will interchange with the West Rail at Lok Ma Chau.

 The Immigration Department and KCRC will announce measures today to try to streamline border crossings for the Easter break which starts on Friday.



Rail scheme bid to tackle border chaos