Major construction work is to be done at Mei Foo MTR station as part of plans for a subway link to the new West Rail station. 'The construction works will be carried out inside, above and adjacent to the existing MTR Mei Foo station,' MTR public relations manager Betty Chan Lee Pik-hang said. Construction work will start after the Lunar New Year. The main contract works would be awarded later this year, to be completed at the end of 2003. Mrs Chan refused to reveal the contract sum. The works will involve moving the Mei Foo MTR control centre, which oversees the running of trains. Forty-one trees will also be removed temporarily for equipment access from the Mei Foo area, and replanted in Lai Chi Kok park. They will be replanted in their original areas starting later next year until 2003, with new trees. Utilities along Lai Wan Road and Mount Sterling Mall will be diverted and one station will be modified. Other work includes re-arranging automatic fare collection gates, ticket issuing machines, barrier gates, kiosks and a bank. The MTRC will erect temporary noise enclosures at Mount Sterling Mall. The work would be completed by mid-next year. Mrs Chan said the main contract works would include a new entrance and basement, and a new subway link across Lai Wan Road and Mount Sterling Mall. Other works include modifying another entrance, and installing new lifts and escalators and staircases from entrances to concourse, and from concourse to platform. INFRASTRUCTURE