The proposed MTR North Hong Kong Island Line Extensions have been deferred until after 2016.

The Executive Council decided at its meeting today to ask the Mass Transit Railway Corporation to instead proceed with further planning on Phase One of the West Hong Kong Island Line from Sheung Wan to Kennedy Town, including a possible link with a South Hong Kong Island Line.

But it said the need for the north island line extensions had become less urgent due several factors, such as the reduced forecast in employment in Western District, and because the existing Island and Tsuen Wan Lines will still have spare capacity up until 2016 once the Sha Tin to Central Link opens.

The Council said it has also asked the MTRC to examine modifications to its preliminary proposal on south island line to find a more cost-effective option, particularly in railway technology options.

Meanwhile, traffic improvement measures on Pok Fu Lam Road, identified under the Alternative Alignments Study for Route Seven, will proceed for completion in early 2006. The measures will improve traffic conditions by 2011.