The Government said today that foundation works at the proposed MTR Corporation (MTRC) Oyster Bay Station project on Lantau Island were suspended on Tuesday, after “upheaving” of more than 20mm was recorded at five nearby monitoring checkpoints.

The upheaving was recorded during precautionary grouting works for socketed steel H-piles. The monitoring checkpoints were installed in accordance with the MTRC’s required railway protection procedures.

These procedures are intended to facilitate monitoring of settlement data at nearby projects, thereby ensuring the structural safety of railway facilities and the railway’s safe operation.

On Tuesday, upheaving of 22 to 48 mm was recorded at five monitoring checkpoints installed on a section of the MTRC’s Tung Chung Line railway tracks near Siu Ho Wan Depot, exceeding the pre-set 20mm trigger level for suspension of works.

The relevant works were thus suspended on the same day, according to established procedures.

The Buildings Department (BD) and the Electrical & Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) deployed staff to inspect the affected railway tracks at midnight that day.

The BD confirmed that the supports for the railway tracks are structurally safe.

The EMSD has reviewed the monitoring data and assessment report submitted by the MTRC in relation to the railway’s safe operation. It agreed with the assessment report and confirmed that the railway’s condition fulfils operational safety requirements.

The upheaving has not affected the structural safety of railway facilities or the safe operation of the railway.

The BD, the EMSD and the MTRC will continue to closely monitor the situation to ensure the structural safety of railway facilities and the railway’s safe operation.

The BD and the MTRC have requested the registered building professionals responsible for the project to formulate mitigation measures and adopt a construction method that would alleviate possible effects on railway facilities.

Upon receipt of proposed mitigation measures or amendment plans and of an application for resumption of works, the BD will rigorously scrutinise these.

Meanwhile, the EMSD has requested that the MTRC implement stringent monitoring measures to ensure the railway’s safe operation.

When the application for resumption of works has been approved, it will be announced to the public.