Cycle Track between Tsuen Wan and Tuen Mun (Tuen Mun to So
Kwun Wat)
EIA Executive Summary
Civil Engineering and Development Department
April 2022
Contents
Chapter
2.3. Scenarios
With and Without the Project
2.4. Environmental
Benefits and Achievements of the Project
2.5. Construction
of the Project
4. Environmental
Monitoring and Audit
Figures
1.1.1. This Project is known as “Cycle Track between Tsuen Wan and Tuen Mun (Tuen Mun to So Kwun Wat)” (the Project).
1.1.2. The Project involves construction of a cycle track from Tuen Mun to So Kwun Wat, which forms part of the cycle track backbone section from Tsuen Wan to Tuen Mun in the existing New Territories cycle track network.
1.1.3. The Project comprises construction and operation of a new cycle track at-grade or on viaduct. Construction of the foundation of the viaduct section (via bored piling works) will take place less than 500m from the nearest boundary of existing bathing beaches. The Project is therefore a Designated Project by virtue of Item C.12(a)(iii), Part 1, Schedule 2 of the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO), which specifies “dredging operation less than 500m from the nearest boundary of an existing bathing beach”.
1.1.4. An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been undertaken in accordance with EIA Study Brief (No: ESB-295/2016) to provide information on the nature and extent of environmental impacts arising from the construction and operation of the Project and to contribute to decisions on the overall environmental acceptability of the Project.
1.1.5. The location and proposed layout of the Project are shown in Figure 1.1.
2.1.1. This Project involves construction of a cycle track from Tuen Mun to So Kwun Wat, which is part of the cycle track backbone section from Tsuen Wan to Tuen Mun of the existing New Territories cycle track network. With the Project in place, more recreational opportunities would be created for the public to enjoy.
2.2.1. The scope of the Project comprises the following:
ii. Construction of a marine cycle bridge with footpath of about 200 m long between Cafeteria Old Beach and Kadoorie Beach.
iii. Provision of cycle parking areas near Hin Fat Lane, Cafeteria Old Beach and Kwun Tsing Road.
Comparison of the proposed layout with the original layout indicated in the EIA Study Brief is shown in Figure 2.1.
2.3.1. Without the Project, it is not possible to connect the cycle tracks in the western and eastern parts of the New Territories.
2.3.2. With the Project, a linkage will be created between the existing cycle track network in the western part of the New Territories and So Kwun Wat. Cyclists will be able to travel and cycle safely on the new cycle track. The Project can further enhance the recreational value of the cycle tracks for public enjoyment, promote safe recreational riding, and develop a comprehensive cycle track network in the New Territories to foster a bicycle-friendly environment.
2.4.1. By providing such infrastructure conducive to cycling, the proposed cycle track will promote bicycle usage for recreation, thereby fostering a more bicycle-friendly environment.
2.4.2. Furthermore, the major environmental benefits of the preferred cycle track alignment are listed below according to the hierarchy of “Avoid, Minimize and Mitigate” for environmental protection.
· Avoidance of tree felling of species of conservation importance during construction phase;
· Avoidance of three marine viaduct sections and impact to marine quality during construction phase;
· Avoidance of open sea dredging during construction phase;
· Minimization of impact to water quality during construction phase;
· Minimization of impact to marine ecology and visual impacts during construction and operational phases;
· Minimization of wastewater effluent discharge during construction and operational phases;
· Minimize impact to air quality and noise by avoiding excessive civil construction works during construction phase:
· Minimization of the footprint of the project; and
· Mitigation measures implementation.
2.4.3. Referring to Figure 2.1, the summary of environmental benefits and achievements of the Project is listed below.
|
Environmental Benefits and Achievements |
|
Avoidance of
tree felling of species of conservation importance during construction phase:
The cycle track alignment
has been designed to retain all tree species of conservation importance along
the route. |
|
Avoidance of
three marine viaduct sections and impact to marine water quality during
construction phase: Three marine
viaduct sections have been avoided, including (i) two viaduct sections from
Kadoorie Beach to Castle Peak Beach via Kadoorie Pier and (ii) one viaduct
section connecting between Castle Peach beach and Sam Shing Street area. This will avoid impact to marine water
quality during construction. |
|
Avoidance of
open sea dredging during construction phase: Open sea
dredging is not needed to construct the only marine viaduct section of the
alignment due to the use of pre-bored H-pile foundation type piles, thereby
minimizing sediment release. |
|
Minimization of
impact to water quality during construction phase: The use of
precast pile caps, pre-bored H-pile foundation, controlled rate of pile
construction and cage type silt curtains would minimize sediment generation
and impact to water quality during construction of the marine viaduct. |
|
Minimization of impact to marine
ecology and visual impacts during construction and operational phases: The avoidance of the three marine
viaduct sections could minimize the impacts to marine ecology and visual
impacts brought to the nearby visually sensitive receivers. |
|
Minimization of
wastewater effluent discharge during construction and operational phases: Sewage effluent
from onsite workforce during construction and visitors to the cycle track
during operational phase will be properly conveyed into designated sewage
holding tanks and the existing sewerage system respectively. |
|
Minimize impact
to air quality and noise by avoiding excessive civil construction works
during construction phase: The cycle track
alignment has been designed to avoid excessive civil construction works along
the route during construction phase, in order to reduce impact to nearby air
and noise sensitive receivers. |
|
Minimize the
footprint of the Project: The cycle track alignment has been
designed to minimize the overall Project footprint. |
|
Mitigation
measures implementation: The proper implementation of mitigation measures,
as discussed below, will further ensure that no adverse environmental impact
would result from the construction and operation of the Project. |
2.5.1. The construction is scheduled to commence in the 1st quarter of 2023 and will be completed by the 3rd quarter of 2026 tentatively.
3.1.1. Fugitive dust emissions are the major sources of air pollution during the construction phase of the Project. Through proper implementation of dust control measures as required under the Air Pollution Control (Construction Dust) Regulation, construction dust can be controlled at source to acceptable levels. In view of the small scale of the works, the air quality impact is anticipated to be insignificant.
3.1.2. During the operational phase, the Project itself is not a source of air pollution and the cycle track is not considered as air sensitive receiver. Thus no air quality impact is anticipated and no mitigation measures are required.
3.1.3. Whilst no specific construction dust monitoring is recommended, weekly environmental site audits shall be undertaken during the construction stage to ensure proper implementation of air quality control measures.
3.1.4. Since no air quality impact is anticipated during the operational phase of the Project, monitoring and audit are not required for the operational phase of the Project.
3.2.1.
The use of powered mechanical equipment (
3.2.2. Monitoring of the construction noise impact is recommended to ensure proper implementation of the mitigation measures, and to minimize the noise level as far as practicable.
3.2.3. No operational noise impact is expected to arise from the Project. No noise mitigation measures are required.
3.3.1. Water quality impacts from the land-based construction works, including construction site runoff, sewage effluent from on-site workforce, general construction activities and accidental chemical spillage, can be controlled to acceptable levels by implementing the recommended mitigation measures. No adverse water quality impacts are anticipated.
3.3.2. Water quality impacts would be associated with the marine-based construction works for the viaduct section including release of suspended solids as well as depletion of dissolved oxygen. With adoption of pre-bored H-pile foundation, open sea marine dredging will be avoided. With the recommended mitigation measures including use of silt curtains in place, no adverse water quality impacts are anticipated.
3.3.3.
Monitoring and auditing for marine water quality
impacts during construction would be required to ensure that the released
suspended solid concentrations from the piling activities at marine viaduct
section would not adversely affect the water sensitive receivers. Regular
site audit should also be carried out to ensure that the recommended mitigation
measures are properly implemented.
3.3.4. Runoff from the cycle track will be conveyed into designated drainage systems during the operational phase. Silt trap/interceptor would be provided and maintained in the designated drainage systems to minimize water quality impact arising from surface runoff. The wastewater (i.e., sewage effluent from visitors) arising will be properly conveyed into existing sewerage system. The administrative measures such as regular cleaning of cycle track surface, maintenance of silt trap, etc. would be in place.
3.4.1. Wastes generated by the construction activities include construction and demolition (C&D) materials, general refuse from the workforce and chemical waste generated from any maintenance of construction plant and equipment. Through proper on-site handling and storage (covered containers), reuse (of inert construction wastes) and off-site disposal (via approved waste collectors to approved waste facilities and/or disposal grounds), the generation, handling and disposal of these wastes are not expected to give rise to any adverse environmental impacts. No dredged marine sediment is anticipated from the Project. Provided that the waste management practices are strictly followed, no adverse impacts to the environment associated with waste generated by the construction phase of the Project are anticipated.
3.4.2. Good waste management practices have been recommended to prevent and minimize any adverse environmental impact during the operation of the Project. These include provision of litter bins along the route together with regular collection and disposal. No adverse waste management issues are expected to arise during the operational phase of the Project.
3.5.1. Land contamination assessment has been carried out including a review of historical / current land uses, desktop review and the site inspection. Other relevant information has also been collected from related government departments. No potential land contamination issue is identified within the Project area. In addition, potentially contaminating activities or land uses under the Project are not anticipated.
3.6.1. Potential impacts of the proposed cycle track on ecology and fisheries aspects within the Study Area have been addressed.
3.6.2. No site or habitat of conservation importance would be directly impacted.
3.6.3. As a result of land-based construction activities, up to 0.99 ha developed area, 0.11 ha of mixed woodland, 0.29 ha of plantation woodland and 0.1 km of man-made watercourse would be permanently lost due to the Project. Given the small areas and very low or low-to-moderate ecological value of the affected habitats, terrestrial ecological impact arising from the cycle track construction activities would be minor.
3.6.4. Regarding the terrestrial species of conservation importance, 3 plant species, 1 mammal species, 4 bird species, 1 dragonfly species and 1 butterfly species have been recorded from the ecological surveys. As the three plant species were planted in the plantation within the Project Site, and the fauna species are mobile species, significant impacts to these species are not expected.
3.6.6. The project area is already highly disturbed. During the operational phase of the project, the indirect impacts due to human activities are expected to be insignificant.
3.6.7. Permanent fishing ground loss, which would occur during the operational phase due to the presence of bored piles (0.0019 ha), is considered insignificant. Potential fisheries impacts due to construction and operation of the Project are considered minor and insignificant.
3.6.8. Given the adoption of water quality mitigation measures, including but not limited to the deployment of cage type silt curtains for reduction of sediment release to marine habitat from the bored pile installation as stated in the water quality chapter, no other fisheries-specific mitigation measures and monitoring programme are required.
3.6.9. The marine ecological impact induced by the Project is evaluated as minor to insignificant. However, a study would be conducted prior to commencement of the marine works for the marine viaduct section to explore if feasible and practical ecological enhancement measures could be adopted as trial.
3.7.1. The proposed cycle track would cause some changes in the landscape and visual amenity of the Project Site, although a large part of the route is within the highway boundary or within waterfront open space areas, which are compatible planning designations for the proposed cycle track.
3.7.2. In terms of landscape and visual impacts, the main effects would primarily be resulted from the interruption of existing roadside and waterfront landscapes. The proposed works will occupy a small part of roadside or waterfront area and the majority of works would only involve modification of existing roads and tracks, footpaths, hard stands and planting areas. Much of the works area would be reinstated to its original status or changed to new amenity area on completion of the construction phase. It is evident that the works would not cause permanent impact to the majority of landscape resources, and residual impacts would be small and localised. In terms of visual context and visual amenity, the proposed works would only result in a relatively low level of disturbance to most VSRs and the works would form only a small component in each identified Landscape Character Area within the Study Area.
3.7.3. The preliminary planting proposals for the proposed works utilise a combination of standard to heavy standard sized stock in general roadside planting areas and heavy standard sized stock for feature trees at selected locations along the track. The planting proposals also form part of compensatory planting proposals for the loss of landscape resources, such as existing trees, which will be compensated with appropriate visual enhancement/ greening measures for the benefit of the future landscape within the Study Area.
3.7.4. Elegant design of the bridge viaduct structures and careful alignment to respect the natural outline of the coast will be adopted for the Project, whilst the use of decorative railings and parapets can also help improve the appearance of these structures from certain coastal viewpoints. In addition, the use of attractive and coordinated street furniture and paving materials will also allow localised improvement to the roadside condition.
3.7.5. Overall, it is considered that the residual landscape and visual impacts of the proposed development are acceptable with mitigation during the construction and operational phases.
3.8.1. During the construction phase, there are no potential direct and indirect impacts on Sites of Archaeological Interest and Graded Historic Buildings. For the non-graded built heritage items identified within the Project area, mitigation measures including condition survey, provision of buffer zone and public safe areas have been recommended as precautionary measures. As a precautionary measure, the project proponent should be reminded to inform AMO immediately when any antiquities or supposed antiquities are discovered in the course of works. During the operational stage, no adverse impacts are expected.
3.8.2. A Marine Archaeological Investigation has concluded that there are no underwater cultural heritage resources within the study area. Therefore, no impact to underwater cultural heritage resources will be induced.
4.1.1.
An environmental monitoring and audit programme
will be implemented for the Project during the construction phase to ensure the
effectiveness of the recommended mitigation measures and compliance with
relevant statutory criteria. An Environmental Monitoring and Audit (EM&A)
Manual and an Environmental Mitigation Implementation Schedule (EMIS) have been
prepared, whilst Event and Action Plan for the potential environmental impacts
has been formulated and stated in the EM&A Manual.
5.1.1. The Project is to construct a cycle track from Tuen Mun to So Kwun Wat. It promotes safe recreational riding and develops a comprehensive cycle track network in the New Territories fostering a more bicycle-friendly environment.
5.1.2. The EIA has predicted that, after the adoption of appropriate mitigation measures, no unacceptable environmental impacts are envisaged as a result of the construction and operation of the Project and the Project would be in compliance with the applicable environmental legislation and standards. An environmental monitoring and audit programme has been recommended to monitor the implementation of the mitigation measures and to ensure compliance with relevant environmental standards.