The Housing Department will spend $13.4 million to improve the living environment of the 48-year-old Sai Wan Estate in Kennedy Town.

The estate improvement works will start in the first quarter of 2007 for completion in 2009.

The programme has been deliberately designed to cater for the need of the aging population, and aims to foster a healthy lifestyle and enhance barrier-free access.

The proposed works include setting up a health track equipped with elderly fitness exercise equipment and recreation facilities; landscape improvements; adding railings and seating benches; improving security facilities; repaving estate roads; and installing a shuttle lift at the entrance of Cadogen Street to the lift lobby.

For energy savings, all the lighting in the estate will be replaced with environmental lighting in future.

Sai Wan Estate, situated at a hillside, was completed in 1958 with 638 flats in five blocks each 10 to 14 storeys high. At present, tenants must walk up a staircase to reach the lift lobby of the East Terrace if they enter from the east entrance, that is, the Cadogen Street entrance.

CCTVs will enhance security

The proposed shuttle lift at the Cadogen Street entrance to the first floor of East Terrace will enhance the barrier-free access to the estate. This will also meet tenants' demand for enhanced lift services.

At the same time, CCTV will be installed at entrances and children's play areas to strengthen security.