Tunnel project queried

Farmers in Long Valley said yesterday they feared the tunnel section of the Lok Ma Chau spur line could block their access to underground water for farming and diminish the value of their land.

At a North District Council meeting yesterday, farmer representatives demanded either a compensation package from the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC) or the purchase of their land by the government.

Democratic Party district councillor Wong Sing-chi said his office had recently received complaints from more than 10 vegetable growers from Long Valley, in Yuen Long.

The area affected by the tunnel covers about 1,000 square metres, he said. 'Farming is still active in those farmlands. The farmers fear that the tunnel will block their access to ground water for farming,' Mr Wong said.

He added that although the tunnel project had been gazetted, land owners also feared the tunnel would limit rezoning of the land for other purposes and affect its value.

The 4.3km tunnel will run five to 10 metres underground across Long Valley between Sheung Shui and Chau Tau, leaving only a few metres above it 'usable' by farmers, Mr Wong said.