The Government published in the Gazette today (October 6) the railway scheme for the Northern Link (NOL) Main Line in accordance with the Railways Ordinance (Cap. 519).
The NOL Main Line involves the construction of a railway link, approximately 10.7 kilometres long, connecting the existing Kam Sheung Road Station of the Tuen Ma Line and the planned Kwu Tung Station of the East Rail Line, with three intermediate stations at Au Tau, Ngau Tam Mei and San Tin.
A Government spokesman said, "NOL is the main transportation backbone of the Northern Metropolis. It will connect to the existing East Rail Line and Tuen Ma Line and form a railway loop linking up the New Territories and the Kowloon downtown. NOL will not only improve the existing railway connections and serve the Kwu Tung North New Development Area and the San Tin Technopole, but also unleash the development potential of the land around Au Tau, Ngau Tam Mei and San Tin. Currently, the road journey between Kam Sheung Road Station and the area in the vicinity of Kwu Tung Station takes about 60 to 80 minutes during rush hours. Upon the commissioning of the NOL Main Line, the expected travel time required for the same journey by railway will be largely reduced to 12 minutes approximately."
The Government and the MTR Corporation Limited have collected public views on the NOL Main Line project earlier, including consultation with the North District Council and the Yuen Long District Council, exchanging views with relevant rural committees and stakeholders, and organising various publicity activities. The construction works of the proposed NOL Main Line will commence soon after the authorisation of the scheme and are expected to be completed by 2034.
Under the Railways Ordinance, members of the public may object to the railway scheme in relation to the NOL Main Line from today until December 5, 2023. Additionally, any person who has a compensatable interest can claim compensation under the provisions of the Ordinance.
The railway scheme and relevant plans are viewable on the Highways Department (HyD) website (www.hyd.gov.hk/en/our_projects/railway_projects/index.html). They are also available for public inspection during office hours at the Central & Western Home Affairs Enquiry Centre; the North Home Affairs Enquiry Centre; the Yuen Long Home Affairs Enquiry Centre; the District Lands Office, North; and the District Lands Office, Yuen Long. A copy of the scheme and the plans may be purchased from the HyD. For details, please call the HyD at 2762 3976.
Ends/Friday, October 6, 2023
Issued at HKT 12:15