bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

sponsorType

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

SCMP Reporter

There have been a number of suggestions for the new location of Queen's Pier, including putting it in Western district.

The Western district idea makes a lot of sense.

There are those who say that the one good example of relocating a structure - the move of Murray House to Stanley - was a tragic mistake.

I think this is nonsense.

When you consider that Murray House had to be moved (it was sinking on its foundations and becoming structurally insecure) it was a revolutionary step forward in historical preservation of an old Hong Kong building. The location is also excellent.

Yes, it is a move to the other side of Hong Kong Island.

However, it is sited right by the sea, just as it was originally, before reclamation pushed it inland.

In a similar way, Queen's Pier must be rebuilt on a seafront location, where it can still function as a working pier.

However, the question is where to put it.

If it happens that Western is not suitable let me suggest Tai Kok Tsui. The waterfront foreshore, at the northern end of the typhoon shelter there, is crying out for good pier access for the many craft that ply there every day. And there is at least 400m of waterfront space there, which could easily accommodate the 60m-long Queen's Pier.

In fact, there is room for two or three piers.

The facilities at Tai Kok Tsui are really primitive, uncontrolled and dangerous and yet the area serves every day as a landing and loading point for hundreds of small boats serving the craft in the anchorage, and for pilot and immigration boats,  transferring or picking up staff . It is even used for crew rotation on tugs.

Fishing boats also use that waterfront area for offloading fish.

I am not sure if this is legal, but if not, it should be made legal and the fishermen could then use the relocated pier.

So, for those looking for a good home for Queen's Pier, please look to the other side of the harbour.

Take into consideration Tai Kok Tsui by-the-sea.

Gordon Andreassend, Tai Kok Tsui



Dismantled Queen's Pier can find a home at Tai Kok Tsui