1 Future developments key to underpass plan
Anita Lam, SCMP 17 January 2009

The Transport and Housing Bureau will take into account future developments in the Causeway Bay area before deciding what kind of underpass it will build to link the commercial district and Happy Valley.

Lawmakers demanded in a Legislative Council railway subcommittee yesterday that the government reconsider a proposal to add a station at Happy Valley on the South Island Line or at least reserve land for possible future inclusion. Happy Valley recently lost its bid for an MTR station.

But Secretary for Transport and Housing Eva Cheng said it would rather consider building a pedestrian underpass network connecting Victoria Park and Happy Valley.

"We want to look at ways where we can use the underpass best, taking into account the area's future developments, not just at the centre of Causeway Bay, but also for example, at Caroline Hill where a government department will be leaving soon."

Ms Cheng said the government would study whether an underpass similar to those in Japan, where users can dine and shop, should be built.

Meanwhile, the MTR Corporation promised a further review of a controversial bylaw that penalises passengers who use abusive language.

"I think there should be clearer definition of what abusive language is," said Ronny Tong Ka-wah of the Civic Party.

The MTR Corp has reduced the penalty from HK$5,000 to HK$2,000 after a review, but refused to eliminate it altogether.