Barrier-free access difficult in K11

Why does the Buildings Department give approval for the removal of disabled-friendly facilities in developments, sometimes only months after the occupation permit has been issued?

Developers of shopping malls gush about these facilities in their promotion campaigns when the projects are launched.

Tsim Sha Tsui Residents' Concern Group had first-hand experience of this in the area. When the K11 mall was being built, the Urban Renewal Authority advised that its connectivity to the Mody Road subway linking Tsim Sha Tsui MTR and the then KCR station would provide an alternative exit to the streets. An escalator was built on the K11 public open space, apparently to facilitate access to Exit N4 on B2.

When the mall opened in late 2009, local residents confined to wheelchairs and with frames and walking sticks used two lifts in the foyer to get to and from Exit N4. From there they could either turn right to go into the MTR station or left to get on the moving walkways to reach East Tsim Sha Tsui station.

That was until the developer got greedy and had the lifts removed in order to clear space for a cafe on the ground floor and additional retail outlets.

Now the disabled, instead of enjoying a barrier-free lift service, have to somehow force their way through swing doors to one side in order to use alternative lift services. Another lift is hidden away at the back of the complex.