Happy Valley MTR station will bring even more congestion

Paul Zimmerman ('We must expand rail network to relieve traffic congestion', December 19) describes Happy Valley as a cul-de-sac (a road that comes to a dead end).

He should know better as he has been there, I saw him handing out district council election leaflets last month on Sing Woo Road.

Much of what Mr Zimmerman says and does is good, but his cause is not helped by his blind belief railways are good for all places in Hong Kong, nor by the breathless tone of his jumbled argument which is his standard one-size-fits-all solution.

I have lived in Happy Valley for a long time and admit that I like it as it is.

It is one of the few residential areas left that has a community feel to it, where all is within short walking distance, where residents can - and do - stroll around their immediate environs greeting their neighbours while doing their shopping or going for dinner.

The racecourse, with its playing fields and walking paths, is a valuable recreation spot also used for community events and easily reached by existing public transport and on foot. An MTR station will bring more people, who will demand more shops, more 'facilities' and bring a different sort of congestion. The Planning Department is indeed on the right track with the 'downzoning' mentioned by Mr Zimmerman.