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Andy Chen

Company urges government to foot $660m bill for two crossings to link piers

New World First Ferry has  announced a $660 million plan to build two elevated walkways  to link all Outlying Island Ferry  Piers  but said the government should pay for them.

The company said the scheme would increase accessibility and create  leisure areas.

It hoped the development would attract more  customers and improve its finances, said Tsang Wing-hang,  head of business and strategic development of NWS Transport Services, parent company of the ferry service.

Mr Tsang told the first meeting of the government's Harbour Enhancement Committee that the bridges would be built  in two phases.

Phrase one  would concentrate on  a 310-metre, 40-metre-wide walkway  from Pier No2, at the Sheung Wan end,  to Pier No7.

It would cost $200 million and hopefully would be completed by next year.

The second phase  was the building of a walkway  linking phase-one of the project  to the IFC towers.

It would cost $460 million and be completed in 2008.

'The accessibility of the  piers is poor because people have to cross many roads at ground level  to reach them,' he said.

Mr Tsang said the proposal was still at the conceptual stage and the company would have to consult  the government on the project.

The ferry company  said cafes, bars and shops could be set up on the walkways  to cater to the needs of travellers and pedestrians.

'The only open leisure space in Central is Statue Square.  This is not enough. Our proposal can provide another leisure area for tourists and locals,' Mr Tsang said.

'It also provides a direct access between the International Finance Centre and the harbour front.'

Government officials on the committee declined to comment, saying they needed to hear the public's views first.



First Ferry wants walkways to lift pedestrians and profits