Highways Department is responsible for the implementation of the project of Pedestrian Environment Improvement Scheme in Yuen Long Town. The project includes provision of space for pedestrian, reduce pedestrian and vehicular traffic conflicts and improve road side air quality. In May 2009, a series of public engagement activities commenced to gauge the public views on the pedestrian environment in Yuen Long Town in a well-structured manner.

Over the past year, we have conducted a number of public engagement activities including site visits and on-street surveys, communications with the local stakeholders, focus group meetings and two public forums which were held in March and July 2010 respectively. The public engagement activities were supported and well participated by Yuen Long District Council and the public.

With reference to the comments and suggestions collected from the public engagement activities, we have consolidated a number of improvement schemes to improve the pedestrian environment in Yuen Long Town. The improvement schemes are summarised in four categories as follows:

• New Footbridges Connection

• Improvement of Castle Peak Road – Yuen Long Section

• Improvement of Inner roads

• Greening and Beautification

The improvement schemes were presented to the members of Yuen Long District Council Traffic and Transport Committee for comments on 24^th September 2010 and the members were supportive on the improvement schemes. We will make reference to the comments and suggestions received during the presentation and further refine the improvement schemes to establish the way forward. For more information on the improvement schemes, please refer to the 2nd Forum Public Pedestrian Environment Improvement Scheme in Yuen Long Town - Report on Public Engagement Activities.

Highways Department has commenced feasibility study on major improvement schemes (e.g. footbridge) since September 2011. The study will investigate the feasibility of the schemes and identify the detailed implementation plan and programme. The feasibility study, cost about $4 million, is scheduled for completion by end 2013.