Rail operator stresses the government must still approve development plans
The KCRC admitted yesterday it was still uncertain when it could end the freeze on property development along its new lines.
It said negotiations with the government were continuing and there was no timetable for their completion.
The statement came a day after the government said the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation's plans to start calling tenders next year for 13,600 flats along two new lines were still awaiting approval.
'All along KCRC has been, and will continue to be, supportive of government policy, and shares the common goal for a co-ordinated plan for property developments,' the statement said. 'The KCRC believes that the projects concerned should not create any negative impact on the local property market.'
The corporation's property development director, Daniel Lam Chun, said on Sunday that it would resume tendering of five residential development projects on the West Rail and Ma On Shan lines from next year. He said the flats would not be completed until 2008 or 2010.
Director of Lands Patrick Lau Lai-chiu said at the same time that the proposals had been co-ordinated with the government which had put a freeze on property development by the two rail companies in an attempt to stabilise the market.