Hong Kong News
Nonpartisan, Noncommercial, unconstrained.
Saturday, Feb 22, 2025
Real, Diverse, Unbiased.
Beginning of end for pier pressure
Pak Kok Pier on Lamma opens today and it will be joined by 22 more to be erected from 2024, Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho said.
The reconstructed pier will be an en route stop for around 20 ferry routes sailing between Aberdeen and Yung Shue Wan pier on Lamma on a daily basis.
In a blog posting yesterday, Linn gave an update on the pier improvement program introduced in 2017.
The worn-out pier with limited docking space has been transformed into one with long moorings and modern exteriors after reconstruction commenced in April 2020 with a budget of over HK$70 million.
Passengers can now get to and away from the ferry more safely with the help of two lengthened moorings with wave-reducing facilities at the pier, Linn wrote.
It has now been updated with Wi-Fi, water dispensers and charging facilities, while a ramp and benches help those bound to wheelchairs and elderly along. Solar panels help light up the facility in a green touch.
Its exterior sports a roof crafted out of tempered glass and wooden sticks to increase natural light.
Railings are designed to give the pier a unique identity as one character in Lamma's Chinese name looks like a "Y."
Precast concrete was used to reduce the effects of tide on construction work.
The upgrade takes care of problems the old pier presented, such as a limited docking space that was dangerous for alighting and boarding passengers, especially when there were big waves.
"Originally, there was only one worn-out mooring at the old pier and there was insufficient space for the ferry to dock stably. The ferry was easily affected by large waves." Linn said, adding that residents and travelers now say they can bring shopping trolleys along.
A four-week exhibition will be held from today to December 11 at the pier to familiarize the public with the updates. People can take photos and get a souvenir.
Pak Kok is the first to be renovated among 23 piers in the two-phase improvement program started in 2017 to upgrade the structural and facility standard of public piers, which were replete with safety problems.
The first phase takes in 10 piers, including Lai Chi Wo Pier and Tung Ping Chau Public Pier, while the second phase will tackle such landings as Ma Liu Shui Ferry Pier and Tai O Public Pier.
In the remaining 22 piers, seven are already undergoing reconstruction, while two more will see work start next month, while the rest are undergoing planning work. All piers are to be upgraded in two years.
In a blog posting yesterday, Linn gave an update on the pier improvement program introduced in 2017.
The worn-out pier with limited docking space has been transformed into one with long moorings and modern exteriors after reconstruction commenced in April 2020 with a budget of over HK$70 million.
Passengers can now get to and away from the ferry more safely with the help of two lengthened moorings with wave-reducing facilities at the pier, Linn wrote.
It has now been updated with Wi-Fi, water dispensers and charging facilities, while a ramp and benches help those bound to wheelchairs and elderly along. Solar panels help light up the facility in a green touch.
Its exterior sports a roof crafted out of tempered glass and wooden sticks to increase natural light.
Railings are designed to give the pier a unique identity as one character in Lamma's Chinese name looks like a "Y."
Precast concrete was used to reduce the effects of tide on construction work.
The upgrade takes care of problems the old pier presented, such as a limited docking space that was dangerous for alighting and boarding passengers, especially when there were big waves.
"Originally, there was only one worn-out mooring at the old pier and there was insufficient space for the ferry to dock stably. The ferry was easily affected by large waves." Linn said, adding that residents and travelers now say they can bring shopping trolleys along.
A four-week exhibition will be held from today to December 11 at the pier to familiarize the public with the updates. People can take photos and get a souvenir.
Pak Kok is the first to be renovated among 23 piers in the two-phase improvement program started in 2017 to upgrade the structural and facility standard of public piers, which were replete with safety problems.
The first phase takes in 10 piers, including Lai Chi Wo Pier and Tung Ping Chau Public Pier, while the second phase will tackle such landings as Ma Liu Shui Ferry Pier and Tai O Public Pier.
In the remaining 22 piers, seven are already undergoing reconstruction, while two more will see work start next month, while the rest are undergoing planning work. All piers are to be upgraded in two years.
