I followed up with some questions to HAD on these mysterious "stakeholders", and surprise, surprise, they are actually the same district councillors who proposed the plan. My letter below to HAD:
========================
Dear Sandy Suen,
At 08:53 PM 20-08-12 +0800,
sandy_mt_suen@had.gov.hk wrote:
>
>Dear Mr. Sargent,
>
> The selection of the proposed location was a result of extensive location consultation with different stakeholders.
> IsDO has followed the established practice in conducting a number of consultations with the relevant stakeholders such and the Traffic and Transport Committee (T&TC) of the Island District Council, the then Lamma Area Committee, the Peng Chau/Cheung Chau/ Lamma Area Committee and the Lamma (North) Rural Committee and environment concern groups.
>
You stated that :
>In the process of consulting the
>local community, it has also been noted that there is broad public support
>for the proposal of providing a CPA at the subject site as opposed to
>allowing bicycles to be parked on the catwalk.
I asked you to explain HOW YOU HAD CONSULTED THE LOCAL COMMUNITY.
What you did was "consult" with district council members.
You never "consulted the community".
To claim that there is "broad public support" when the only people "consulted" were the same DC committees who proposed the scheme is completely dishonest. They are the ones who have vetoed any alternatives.
Neither HAD nor these committees ever even informed the "local community" of this plan, let alone "consulted".
As for "Environmental Concern Groups", you never bothered to consulted or inform any Lamma based group. And the only (off Lamma) group you did consult, Green Lantau, told you what a poor idea it was. So despite soliciting their opinion, when they failed to endorse your plan you simply discarded it, yet still claim that your plan is supported by environment concern groups. Despite Lamma-based groups subsequently offering similar opinions.
If you preface your report to the CE with such words implying that there is "broad public support" and that it is "supported by environment concern groups" it will be completely dishonest.
I copy Green Lantau's assessment below, it seems none of the HAD staff who it was addressed to read it.
And the comments by the HK Cycling Alliance, who actually do represent cyclists -- the group most people naively might think would be "stakeholders" in this plan, not just those who are betting on getting a Rural Minor Works budget allotted.
Sincerely
Alan Sargent
======================
From: "Green Lantau Association" <info@greenlantau.com>
Date: 19 February 2009 3:13:13 PM GMT+08:00
To: <nina_ss_yiu@had.gov.hk>, <gower@amghk.com.hk>, <cnoffke@netvigator.com>, "'Tracey Duggan'" <traceyduggan5@netvigator.com>
Cc: <oyeung@cedd.gov.hk>, <phyllis_sw_pang@had.gov.hk>, <ivy_kw_chan@had.gov.hk>
Subject: RE: Proposal of Providing a Cycle Parking Area at Yung Shue Wan Ferry Pier, Lamma Island
Dear Nina,
Thank you for your efforts at resolving differing views on the proposed construction of a cycle park near the ferry pier at Yung Shue Wan. Our thanks also go to the Rural Committee Chairman Mr. Chan Lin-wai, the Rural Committee Vice-Chairman Mr. Chow Hing-fook and the District Councillor for Lamma Island Ms. Yu Lai-fun for kindly being willing to take part in exchanges of views on this infrastructure planning issue.
We have given our views based on our preference for preserving the last section of natural coastline in Yung Shue Wan and on our experience with the cycle parking situation in Mui Wo. We had hoped to thereby contribute to a solution whereby a cycle park of sufficient size and convenience could be provided along with preserving the coastline and the tranquillity of the LCSD Yung Shue Wan Public Library while at the same time proceeding with long needed ferry pier renovation and enhancement works.
From our perspective the value of protecting natural coastline is self-evident and we have no additional views to contribute on this.
Regarding the location of the proposed cycle park our experience in Mui Wo is that many cyclists ignore traffic arrangements and the safety and convenience of others just for the sake of being able to park their bicycles as close to the pier entrance as possible, often seconds before the ferry is due to leave. This has led to a situation where some of the cycle parking areas in Mui Wo remain under-utilized even though they are nearer to the pier than would be the case with the proposed cycle parking area next the Yung Shue Wan Public Library.
It would be best in our view to build a cycle parking area at a location that is both suitable and likely to actually be used by cyclists. There is scope in Yung Shue Wan for the proposed cycle park to be beneficially integrated with a covered and widened pier access as explained in earlier communication and at the meeting we had at your office last year. This would enable cyclists to park near the pier in covered conditions, would retain the tranquillity of the library environs and would preserve Yung Shue Wan's last remaining stretch of natural coastline as a visually pleasing amenity for the enjoyment of residents and visitors alike. We think the option we propose would provide the required cycle parking capacity at a convenient location while also being sympathetic to the local environment.
Having thus expressed our views, we would like to excuse ourselves from participation in the planned meeting. We are happy to leave a decision on this matter to the people of Yung Shue Wan and are confident that with your diligent encouragement a beneficial agreement will be reached among the participants.
We are sorry for being unable to attach a Chinese version of these views and would be grateful if you could help by translating and printing out this message for the convenience of the Chinese speakers at the meeting.
With Best Regards
Fabian Pedrazzini)
Green Lantau Association
==============================
Hong Kong Cycling Alliance
Ms Eva Cheng, Secretary for Transport & Housing, 22/F, East Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong
Dear Ms Cheng
Objection to proposed Cycle Parking Area on Lamma (Plan No. PW-GS11-009)
Hong Kong Cycling Alliance supports cycling and cyclists throughout Hong Kong, and works to encourage the inclusion and expansion of cycling for transport and leisure.
We note the widespread use of bicycles as transport on Lamma and support the assumed objective of the above proposal to facilitate cycle use to access the ferry at Yung Shue Wan.
We have reviewed the proposal and would comment as follows:
Based on experience in Mui Wo and elsewhere, demand from users is strongly for parking that is as close as possible to the ferry. At the suggested location, the proposed facility might not be well used by regular commuters, and could instead be used primarily for storage, or for dumping unwanted goods.
The access to the proposed cycle parking is relatively narrow, and could easily become highly congested at peak times. Especially if bikes are left in the entrance area.
A section of natural coastline would be substantially disturbed, spoiling visual enjoyment by visitors and locals alike.
The $18 million cost is excessive and could be used to benefit Lamma people, including cycle owners, in much more effective ways.
We of the view that the objective to facilitate cycle access the ferry would likely not be achieved under the proposal, and that it will incur substantial costs and negative side effects.
Therefore, we are unable to support the government proposal for this project.
We suggest that a much preferable solution would be to widen the ferry pier access to enable cycle parking along its length, closer to the ferry, easily accessible, with lower environmental impact, and at lower cost.
However, we recognise the proposed use of simple inverted U steel tube stands, which are a commendably simple, effective and cost-effective cycle parking technology.
regards
Martin Turner
for and on behalf of
Hong Kong Cycling Alliance
www.hkcyclingalliance.org
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