Bishop Hill Reservoir to open to public near the end of this year

Citizens can expect visits to the Bishop Hill Reservoir near the end of this year, as the government is planning to open the historical site to the public.

The century-old reservoir, located in Shek Kip Mei, was earlier listed as a grade one historical building by the Antiquities Advisory Board.

In a Sham Shui Po district council meeting today, representatives from the Water Supplies Department expected citizens will have to make online reservation for the visits.

Tour guides will be arranged to lead the way and explain the history of the cistern. The number of visitors in each tour will be restricted due to the limited space of the site.

The department said discussion with relevant departments is still ongoing and more information will be announced in due course.

Works for reinforcement are in progress, the department added. It expected to open the cistern to the public after taking into account the safety of the building' structure and the latest pandemic situation.

Venting facilities will be installed within the reservoir, allowing wind outside to enter the site and air inside to be extracted. Emergency lighting and fire extinguishers will be added into the cistern as well to ensure safety.