FURIOUS town planning experts fear a government transport blueprint for Central will bring the territory's traffic grinding to a halt.
A government spokesman said officials would meet tomorrow to review their traffic proposals for the first phase of the Central-Wan Chai reclamation. They are expected to discuss the mounting opposition to them among Town Planning Board members.
The board has the power to block the blueprint. Many members have already expressed reservations and are expected to meet within weeks to discuss the problem.
Town Planning Board member Jennifer Chow Kit-bing described the Government's plan as ''short-sighted''.
The Hong Kong Institute of Architects has warned the proposal will seriously damage efficiency in the Central business district, so endangering Hong Kong's position as a leading international centre.
Airport Consultative Committee (ACC) member Francis Cheung King-fung said: ''If this proposal is approved without any amendment, Central will be paralysed.'' The Government's proposal calls for a new dual two-lane road, known as the Central and Wan Chai bypass, linking the Western Harbour Crossing and the Cross Harbour Tunnel.
