Lantau residents in Hong Kong fear plans to increase vehicle use on restricted roads
Lantau residents fear their environment will be ruined by Transport Department proposals to allow more vehicles to enter the restricted and ecologically sensitive southern part of the island.
They criticised the department, which wants to promote tourism and the economy, for failing to conduct a public consultation.
Officials want 50 tour buses a day to be allowed to use the restricted roads, up from 30 now, and 50 private cars on weekdays, except public holidays, after Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying ordered a review of the arrangement.
Thirty-six community groups received a fax or email from the department early this month and were given 19 days to submit their views. The department aims to implement the plan later in the year.
Eddie Tse Sai-kit of the Save Lantau Alliance said more than 85 per cent of 1,900 people polled in its recent survey were against the relaxation of restrictions.
"Fifty private cars a day may not sound a lot now, but it is a trial only and there will be more to come," Tse feared. "Lantau is a place for seeking peace."
Officials argue that allowing 50 private cars a day to South Lantau should not have an unacceptable impact on traffic and residents as there are fewer visitors on weekdays.
But Clive Noffke, who has lived in Cheung Sha for 11 years, said the "absolutely foolish" plan would bring no "conceivable benefits". Rather, he said, it could lead to more illegal parking and encourage car ownership.
"The reason for the restriction is to preserve the environment. There are precedents for keeping certain roads off-limits to nonlocal residents," said the former Green Lantau Association member.
"The government consults the Islands District Council and the rural committees which are supposed to represent us. The government doesn't see the need to consult the public at large, except to inform us later."
Leung raised the idea of developing Lantau in his policy address in January and proposed building an artificial island in the waters between eastern Lantau and Hong Kong Island and making that the city's third central business district.
A Transport Department spokeswoman insisted it had been consulting relevant stakeholders in line with established procedures.
"In fact, since the proposals were made known to the public, some individuals also offered views to the department directly. It is still in the process of collecting public responses and will consider their views before finalising the proposals," she said.
