Letters | Hong Kong housing: Queen’s Hill residents left to suffer the impact of planning gap
- The authorities must ensure supporting infrastructure is in place in time when planning new town developments
To head south to the city centre, one has to go through Fanling Highway, which is supposedly easily accessible via the Lung Shan Tunnel. Regrettably, failing to take into consideration the Queen’s Hill public housing development, no exit was planned and built for the residents, so they will have to go all the way via a two-lane carriageway, not to mention deal with the probable congestion, to reach the entrance of Lung Shan Tunnel, which is supposedly right next to the estate.
The Fanling Bypass Eastern Section, connecting Shek Wu San Tsuen with Tolo Highway near Kau Lung Hang, is meant to cater for the transport needs of the Fanling North new development area. This also comes handy for the government as a “remedy” to the congestion problem Queen’s Hill residents are likely to face.
However, the bypass is not due to be ready for another four years, meaning residents, like always, will have to wait.
Residents of Queen’s Hill will have to suffer the consequences of this lack of foresight and coordination. For the upcoming New Territories North development, however, I hope the authorities will plan ahead for the supporting infrastructure, rather than have people bear with inconvenience for years.