Yuen Long Bridge Funding Request Pushed Back

The government has pushed back a HK$1.7 billion funding request for a controversial elevated footbridge in Yuen Long on Legco's Finance Committee's agenda, saying it needs more time to reach a consensus with the community.

The item was not listed earlier in the day but reappeared in the afternoon as a part of the agenda for the committee's meetings on Friday and Saturday.

The proposal has come under heavy criticism from local and professional groups. They say the bridge is "extravagant and wasteful" and there is a much cheaper alternative.

Speaking ahead of the weekly Executive Council meeting, Acting Chief Executive Matthew Cheung said the government is not dropping the plan, just postponing it.

We are not talking about taking it out at all. The need for a footbridge in Yuen Long is not debatable. We all agreed, all agreed there is a need for a footbridge there to facilitate pedestrian flow, he said.

There is a difference of opinion between professional bodies and some local groups. We need to put our heads together and arrive at a consensus, the top official said.

Cheung said Highways Department officials will attend a Yuen Long District Council meeting on Tuesday to explain the plan.

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