(Policy Address 2021) Five railway projects to drive northern New Territories development

Five new railway projects will drive the development of northern New Territories into a “Northern Metropolis,” including a new stop between Lo Wu and Sheung Shui.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said a railway system will serve as the backbone for development of the Northern Metropolis. 

That will include constructing the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Railway linking up Hung Shui Kiu and Ha Tsuen area to Qianhai of Shenzhen.

The Northern Link, which is being planned, will be extended northwards to connect to the new Huanggang Port in Shenzhen via the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park in the Lok Ma Chau Loop.

The link will also extend eastwards from the Kwu Tung Station to connect with the areas of Lo Wu, Man Kam To and Heung Yuen Wai, and further southwards to Fanling via Ta Kwu Ling and Queen’s Hill.

Authorities will explore the extension of the East Rail Line to Luohu, Shenzhen and the provision of a co-location arrangement at the boundary control point on the Shenzhen side. A new railway station will be added for a non-boundary crossing service between the existing Lo Wu Station and the Sheung Shui Station, in order to unleash the development potential around Lo Wu, Man Kam To and Sheung Shui North.

The feasibility of constructing an automated people mover system from Tsim Bei Tsui to Pak Nai to promote the development of the area and Lau Fau Shan will also be examined.

The Northern Metropolis includes the mature new towns in Tin Shui Wai, Yuen Long, Fanling, Sheung Shui and their neighbouring rural areas, as well as six new development areas namely Kwu Tung North and Fanling North, Hung Shui Kiu and Ha Tsuen, Yuen Long South, San Tin and Lok Ma Chau, Man Kam To and the New Territories North New Town.

Lam said a number of development projects planned or under planning in the area are estimated to provide about 350 000 residential units.

An additional 600 hectares of land or so could be developed within the Northern Metropolis for residential and industry purposes, with an estimated provision of about 165,000 to 186,000 residential units.

Upon the full development of the entire Northern Metropolis, a total of 905,000 to 926,000 residential units, including the existing 390,000 residential units in Yuen Long District and North District, will be available to accommodate a population of about 2.5 million.

The total number of jobs in the Metropolis will increase substantially from 116,000 at present to about 650,000, including 150,000 I&T-related jobs.