Why do railway projects always take so long to commence?

After a railway project is preliminarily recommended by the Government to be taken forward, it needs to go through different stages and statutory procedures before commencing passenger service, which can be roughly divided into the following seven main stages:

Feasibility study

Upon invitation by the Government, the railway company conducts a feasibility study for the project and submits a proposal to the Government.

Approval to proceed with planning and design

After reviewing the proposal with thorough deliberation with the railway company, the Government approves and invites the railway company to proceed with the planning and design work.

Planning and design

The railway company commences the planning and design works while maintaining communications with relevant stakeholders and listening to their views. This helps ensure the railway will be built to better cater to the community's future needs.

Public consultation

Under the Railway Ordinance, the Government gazettes the railway scheme for public review and comment. According to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Ordinance*, the railway company will submit an EIA Report on the project for public inspection.

^*According to the EIA Ordinance, the MTR Corporation will submit an EIA Report for the Northern Link for public inspection. Meanwhile, the EIA Report for the relevant enabling works of Kwu Tung Station was completed during the construction of the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line of the East Rail Line under its statutory procedures. The project team has already obtained the Variation of Environmental Permit as per relevant statutory procedures as needed, ensuring the works of Kwu Tung Station on the East Rail Line comply with applicable statutory requirements.

Approval for the railway scheme

After ensuring all public opinions are properly addressed, the Government approves the railway scheme. Construction works will then be commenced.

Construction

Depending on individual railway project, the scope of construction works could include new stations and railway corridors, railway siding and train stabling facilities, railway construction facilities, facilities around stations, etc. The railway company will adopt appropriate construction methods as per the geological conditions, the nearby environment and the nature of railway facilities to be constructed, meeting the relevant statutory requirements. It shall also take various feasible measures to minimise work impacts on the public and the environment. In addition, different construction challenges had to be addressed during the construction stage.

Testing, Commissioning, Trial Operations and Statutory Approval

The railway company will conduct testing and commissioning for all railway systems and engineering construction, including dynamic train testing and statutory inspections of station facilities. During the trial operations, the railway company will be going through various operation-related drills and exercises to prepare for the commissioning. After the Government has confirmed the new railway to be in all respects safe and in sound condition to be used for passenger services, the new railway can be put into service.

The time required to complete the different stages and statutory procedures will vary according to the difficulty and complexity of different projects. As for the Northern Link, the project covers an extensive area with a wide range of stakeholders, requiring more time for consultation to balance the interests of various parties. The project also requires construction works on the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line of the East Rail Line and the Tuen Ma Line, both currently in operation. To maintain the smooth operation of the existing railways and avoid impacts on railway facilities, this poses greater construction difficulties and lengthens the construction time required.

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