DC members push for speedier Pak Shek Kok development

Concerns over the construction timeline for the new Pak Shek Kok MTR station took centre stage at a Tai Po District Council meeting on Friday, as officials revealed that the project is currently slated for completion by 2033 or earlier.

According to a blueprint submitted by the Development Bureau, the proposed two-storey station will be built closer to the Hong Kong Science Park and Chinese University of Hong Kong, rather than its originally planned location at the Education University of Hong Kong Sports Centre.

Construction is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2028.

Despite the seven-year runway, several councillors have voiced anxiety over whether the project will meet its target date – particularly given the recent shift in site selection.

Councillor Lo Hiu-fung questioned the pace of progress, noting that the project was first floated in 2021.

"From 2021 until today, the entire plan for Pak Shek Kok station has only been unveiled now ... What work has actually been done? Now that the site has been re-selected, does that mean the work has to be done all over again?," he asked.

Lo also raised concerns about whether the new station would affect train frequencies and waiting times on the East Rail Line.

Fellow councillor Lee Hon-cheung urged authorities to adopt the mainland’s construction standards to expedite the process.

"We talk about integrating with the nation's development. Our five-year-plan needs to align with the nation's 15th Five-Year Plan. Can we use the speed of national standards to handle this livelihood project?," he asked.

"It has been discussed for over 20 years. On the mainland, which high-speed railway has taken more than ten years to build? Right now, we are only talking about building one railway station."

In response, Jones Lai, Principal Project Coordinator of the Railway Development Office at the Highways Department, pushed back against suggestions of delay, stressing that substantial preparatory work by both the Development Bureau and the MTR Corporation has taken place.

However, Lai acknowledged that construction poses unique challenges, as the station will be built along the East Rail Line – a key constraint that limits the application of modern building methods.

"When you renovate an old house, you can't use entirely new standards. It's different from, say, the Northern Link ... where new standards can be applied," he said.

"Because this is a new line, their usable space is much wider. We are working on an old line, so using new standards requires more considerations. Of course, we will encourage the MTR Corporation to adopt them wherever they find them applicable."

On the issue of service disruptions, Lai assured councillors that preliminary assessments indicate the project will not affect East Rail Line operations, and that train frequencies can largely be maintained.

Edited by Aaron Tam ...