The Government today said that consent has been given to resume the socketed steel H-pile works of the proposed MTR Corporation (MTRCL) Oyster Bay Station project on Lantau Island.

Since the upheaving readings recorded on July 15 at five monitoring checkpoints installed on a section of the MTRCL's Tung Chung Line ballasted railway tracks near Siu Ho Wan Depot had exceeded the preset trigger level of 20mm for works suspension, the socketed steel H-pile works were suspended that same day.

The situation occurred under the preset mechanism that aims to monitor the potential impact of construction works in the vicinity of railways under operation. Once the exceedance of the preset trigger level is observed, works will be suspended and mitigation measures will be explored to ensure railway safety.

The registered building professional of the Oyster Bay Station project had submitted to the Buildings Department an incident report. After review, the department agreed to the mitigation measures and the amendment plans as they can effectively minimise the potential risk of the upheaval and settlement of the tracks beyond the preset threshold upon the resumption of works. It also accepted the enhanced monitoring measures taken by the MTRCL.

Meanwhile, the Electrical & Mechanical Services Department has reviewed the monitoring data and assessment report submitted by the MTRCL in relation to the safe operation of the railway and confirmed that the condition of the railway and the corporation's monitoring measures meet the operational safety requirements.

Additionally, the MTRCL has confirmed that the resumption of works will not affect the structural safety of the railway facilities and the railway's safe operation.

Staff of the two departments inspected the railway tracks on October 8 and confirmed again that the maintenance works completed and the reconditioned ballast track after the July incident had had no impact on the structural safety of the railway facilities and operational safety.

The two departments and the MTRCL will closely monitor the situation.