A protection group's alternative plan for Central Reclamation Phase III has been rejected as it is problematic.

The Housing, Planning & Lands Bureau said Save Our Shorelines' immersed tunnel proposal for the Central-Wan Chai Bypass has been examined, along with other proposals, however the option will clash with an MTR tunnel west of Convention & Exhibition Centre.

Unreasonable alternative

To avoid the clash, the bypass tunnel would have to pass over the MTR tunnel and be supported on pile foundation. Part of the bypass tunnel structure would then be above sea level. Measures would be required to protect the structure from an aggressive marine transport environment and wave action, which means additional reclamation would be required.

Another major downside is that that section of the proposed tunnel between Edinburgh Place and Tim Wa Avenue would require additional dredging which would affect the stability of the existing seawall.

Details of the findings are included in Chapter 2 of the review report published in April, and can be found on the bureau's website.

Road network will not block harbour access

The bureau added that allegations the Road P2 network will block the accessibility of the public to the harbour are groundless.

The network is a dual two-lane surface road system which will be built on land formed for the bypass tunnel, so no additional reclamation is required. It comprises new roads linking the existing road network in Central and Wan Chai.

A series of grade-separated north-south pedestrian corridors have been planned to provide easy pedestrian movement to the new waterfront.