Hong Kong’s transit operator MTR Corporation is looking for a consultancy to provide detailed planning and design of a new, 10.7-km-long railway in its northern territories after receiving the go-ahead from the Hong Kong government.

The Northern Link railway will link Kam Sheung Road Station of the West Rail Line to the new Kwu Tung Station with three stations in between at San Tin, Ngau Tam Mei and Au Tau.

The first phase of the project will be to build the new Kwu Tung Station, MTR said in a 16 December press release.

It added that the Northern Link will make a loop in the Northwest New Territories for better connectivity east and west of the New Territories.

The link was conceived as a response to the government’s housing supply plan for the area and is intended to boost economic growth.

Kwu Tung Station will be located in the planned Kwu Tung Town Centre.

“It will support the overall development and enhance the connectivity of the area,” said MTR chief executive Dr Jacob Kam.

“Moreover, residents from the New Territories North will enjoy the transport convenience through the railway network linking up the east and west as the project continues to develop,” he added.