A merger of Hong Kong's two railway networks will not result in overlapped services, Secretary for Environment, Transport & Works Dr Sarah Liao says.

She said in the planning of the Sha Tin Central Link, the Government has fully considered the need for an extra line on the northern side of HK Island, east Kowloon and the New Territories.

Dr Liao said a merge would, if anything, actually improve services.

On Causeway Bay traffic flow, she said the policy of having the railway as the main transport trunk is to release road space for other vehicle use.

The Government is therefore considering a possible Link station in Causeway Bay. As for the possibility of sealing off the main artery road to facilitate construction, she said construction is always a disruption but the end product will benefit people in the long run.