A series of proposals that would increase vehicle access to Discovery Bay, a car-free zone for more than 20 years, has alarmed some residents.
A property owners group and the site owner, Hong Kong Resort, argue the proposals will make travel more convenient for residents, but some Discovery Bay locals warn they could be the first steps to allowing more cars into the pedestrian-friendly, exhaust-free precinct.
The proposals include the introduction of a franchised bus service in the area, allowing taxis to reach the outer rim and, most controversial of all, building a 'park and ride' area for residents to park cars.
The proposals have been put forward by the City Owners Committee, which represents the interests of property owners, and endorsed by Hong Kong Resort, which owns the 649-hectare site. They all require Transport Department approval.
Although the park and ride area, if approved, would be located at the bay side of the entrance to the Discovery Bay tunnel, the committee and Hong Kong Resort have said cars would not be allowed to go any further into the bay area.
'Residents have growing legitimate expectation of a wider choice of external transport,' the owners' committee said. '[The park and ride] will not result in any increase of vehicular traffic inside Discovery Bay.'
