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Northern Metropolis · HK-Shenzhen Connection | Better infrastructure needed to mitigate overburdened transport system

The SAR Government published the Northern Metropolis Development Strategy Report in 2021, which proposed five major rail transport projects, half of which are planned to be connected to Shenzhen. The latest Policy Address also focused on transport in the north, including the construction of "three roads and three railways," which will play a key role in the mobility of people between Hong Kong and Shenzhen. The integration and connection of Hong Kong and Shenzhen is undoubtedly key element of the Northern Metropolis plan.

According to a survey released in July last year, respondents in the 18 to 40 age group believe that the current railroad plan is still unable to cope with the pressure of future population movements between Hong Kong and Shenzhen and in the Northern Metropolis, and that the affordability of transportation is also an unknown factor.

Transport system in North District overburdened

Fanling is one of the areas under the Northern Metropolis planning. When the residents want to go south to Kowloon and other areas, they either go by rail or choose to use only one high-speed trunk. NSS North District Committee Vice Chairman Poon Hau-man said, there are usually long lines of traffic from the University Station to the Sha Tin Racecourse, because most of the local residents need to rely on this route to travel to and from the city. As a result, a large number of Fanling residents choose to take the unbearably crowded MTR during peak hours to ensure that they are not frequently late due to traffic congestion.

According to information released by MTR, all 12-car trains on the East Rail Line have been retired and replaced with 9-car trains. The reduction in the number of MTR cars has reduced the overall passenger capacity and increased the pressure and burden on traffic in the North District, according to Mr. Poon.

He added that the traffic pressure in the northern part of the New Territories is now very high, and hopes that the government will focus on infrastructure that can relieve the traffic pressure in order to cope with the huge population flow brought about by the future development of the North District. He hopes that after the development of the Northern Metropolis, the overall infrastructure can be improved, which can divert the traffic pressure of the entire North District.

GBA expert: Railroad with closest relationship to Shenzhen should be prioritized

According to the policy direction at this stage, the integration and expansion of the Northern Metropolis will be driven by the use of railroads as the main backbone of the transportation system. According to the research director of the Bay Area Hong Kong Center, the cost of developing multiple railroads at the same time is too high, and it will take decades to build railroads and urbanize the region. He said the government should assess the utilization rate and feasibility before building the railroads in phases.

According to Wang, there are two rail and highway projects in the North District that have a greater chance of being built with priority. The first is the extension of the Northern Link northward from San Tin, through the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park in the Lok Ma Chau Loop, and into the new Huanggang Port in Shenzhen. This route has the closest ties to Shenzhen, and where there is a greater demand for travel. The second line is the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Railway between Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen and Qianhai, Shenzhen, to support the development of the Qianhai plan in the Mainland and to promote cooperation between Hong Kong and Shenzhen.

One of the objectives of the Northern Metropolis transport planning is to facilitate the movement of people between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, so that when the rail projects are completed, the goal of building "Hong Kong-Shenzhen one-hour living circle" can be achieved quickly.

CityU Professor: Multi-pronged measures needed to streamline cross-border travel

Visiting professor of the City University of Hong Kong, Professor Chan Fung-cheung, also believes that the current procedures for people with cross-border needs to travel between the two places are rather complicated, and it would be more convenient if the government can improve the soft and hard aspects of cross-border, so as to further shorten the time required to cross the border. He said he believes that with the completion of the "Northern Metropolis", Hong Kong and Shenzhen will be able to further integrate in terms of livelihood and economy.

In order to build the northern metropolis, the most important point is "supporting". No matter the future railroad planning, the use of existing highways, and cross-border arrangements, must be further improved, so that the region can become a "port economic zone", and speed up integration with the country.

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